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Two players who grew up in South Africa, namely Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, have been included in the group.
Maro Itoje, captain, and Andy Farrell, coach, pose for a picture after the naming of the Lions squad to tour Australia. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images
England’s Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions rugby union team on their upcoming tour of Australia, it was announced Thursday.
The 30-year-old lock only took over as England skipper ahead of this season’s Six Nations and guided the side to a creditable second-placed finish behind champions France.
Now he has been chosen as skipper for a Lions tour including three Tests against the Wallabies by head coach, Andy Farrell, seconded from his day job as Ireland boss.
“It’s hard to articulate,” said Itoje after taking the stage at London’s O2 Arena for a squad announcement where fans were present for the first time.
“It’s a tremendous honour, it’s a tremendous privilege. You think about the people who have held this position before and it’s remarkable. It’s an honour and I will do my very best to make sure I can contribute to a successful tour.”
Itoje, a previous two-time tourist with the Lions — a side made up of leading players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales — is the first English player to lead the combined team since Martin Johnson in 2001.
A tour featuring three Tests with the Wallabies will in fact start with a fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20.
The first Test against Australia will be in Brisbane on July 19, with two more internationals in Melbourne (July 26) and Sydney (August 2).
Australia have long been regarded as the easiest side for the Lions, who only tour every four years, to beat.
The only other teams they have played series against in their 137-year history are New Zealand and South Africa, the traditional powerhouses of the 15-a-side code who have won seven World Cups between them.
Indeed the last time the Lions won a Test series was their 2-1 success against Australia back in 2013.
But the Wallabies have been making significant progress since Joe Schmidt took charge shortly after a woeful 2023 World Cup in France, where they failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
The Kiwi coach also has the added advantage of knowing several Lions players, and indeed Andy Farrell, well following his six-year stint as Ireland boss.
Backs (17)
Back three: James Lowe (IRL), Tommy Freeman (ENG), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Hugo Keenan (IRL), Mack Hansen (IRL), Blair Kinghorn (SCO)
Centres: Bundee Aki (IRL), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Huw Jones (SCO), Garry Ringrose (IRL), Elliot Daly (ENG)
Flyhalves: Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Marcus Smith (ENG)
Scrumhalves: Jamison Gibson-Park (IRL), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Forwards (21)
Back row: Jack Conan (IRL), Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL), Josh van der Flier (IRL), Henry Pollock (ENG)
Second row: Maro Itoje (ENG, capt), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Tadhg Beirne (IRL), Joe McCarthy (IRL), James Ryan (IRL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Props: Andrew Porter (IRL), Ellis Genge (ENG), Tadhg Furlong (IRL), Zander Fagerson (SCO), Pierre Schoeman (SCO), Will Stuart (ENG)
Hookers: Ronan Kelleher (IRL), Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRL)
Head Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)
June 20: British and Irish Lions v Argentina, Dublin
June 28: Western Force v British and Irish Lions, Perth
July 2: Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions, Brisbane
July 5: NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions, Sydney
July 9: ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions, Canberra
July 12: Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV v British and Irish Lions, Adelaide
July 19: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 1st Test, Brisbane
July 22: First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
July 26: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 2nd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground
August 2: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 3rd Test, Sydney
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