Maro Itoje is set to be named captain of the British & Irish Lions for their upcoming tour of Australia, marking a significant moment as the first Englishman to lead the side in 24 years. The official announcement will be made at a live event at the O2 Arena, where the full 40-man squad will also be revealed.
At 30 years old, Itoje brings a wealth of experience to the role. This will be his third tour with the Lions, having made his debut in the 2017 series against New Zealand. He also featured prominently in the 2021 tour to South Africa, starting all five of the Lions’ most recent Test matches. His leadership qualities and consistent high-level performances have made him a standout candidate.
Itoje’s path to the captaincy became clearer when Ireland’s Caelan Doris, another strong contender for the role, suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, making his participation in the tour uncertain. With Doris likely unavailable, Itoje emerged as the leading candidate to take on the captaincy.
His leadership credentials have long been evident. Itoje captained England Under-20s to a junior World Cup victory in 2014, and while it wasn’t until this season that he was named Saracens captain, he has quickly proven himself. Ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, he was appointed England captain, replacing Jamie George. Under his guidance, England rebounded from an opening-round defeat to Ireland by winning four consecutive matches, showing resilience and improved cohesion.
As Lions captain, Itoje will join an elite group of players who have held one of rugby’s most prestigious leadership roles. He was expected to attend a dinner alongside past captains such as Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton, and Brian O’Driscoll in recognition of the honour and responsibility of the position.
Within his club environment, Itoje’s leadership has been equally impressive. Saracens director of rugby has praised Itoje’s ability to lead by example and manage responsibilities effectively. He highlighted Itoje’s consistency, work ethic, and ability to harness the strengths of other senior players around him. This collaborative approach is seen as a major asset, especially on a Lions tour where leadership duties are often shared among a group of seasoned internationals.
The Lions’ head coach and his assistants met for their final selection discussions, with injuries presenting some late challenges. The squad is expected to include 22 forwards out of 40 total players, a reflection of the demanding nature of the tour, which includes a midweek match between the first and second Tests something not seen in the previous series against South Africa.
The selection of Itoje signals a departure from recent trends where English players, despite their experience and achievements, have not been chosen to captain the Lions. Owen Farrell was part of the 2021 tour but did not captain the side, while other potential candidates such as Steve Borthwick, Chris Robshaw, and Dylan Hartley were all overlooked in past years. Itoje’s appointment therefore not only rewards his current form but also restores England’s presence at the heart of Lions leadership.
The Lions squad announcement event, designed to generate excitement and fan engagement, will take place in front of a live audience, though some tickets remained available shortly before the event. Nevertheless, the occasion promises to be a landmark moment for Itoje and British & Irish rugby as the team prepares for another fiercely contested series Down Under.
