Maro Itoje, the 30-year-old lock from England, has been appointed as the captain of the British and Irish Lions rugby union team for their upcoming tour of Australia. Itoje, who recently led England to a second-placed finish in the Six Nations, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the prestigious team on tour.
“It’s a tremendous honor, it’s a tremendous privilege. You think about the people who have held this position before and it’s remarkable. It’s an honor and I will do my very best to make sure I can contribute to a successful tour,” said Itoje.
The Lions tour will kick off with a match against Argentina in Dublin on June 20, followed by three Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Australia has historically been seen as a favorable opponent for the Lions, with their last Test series victory against the Wallabies dating back to 2013.
The Lions squad for the tour includes players from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, with notable inclusions such as Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, who both grew up in South Africa. Head coach Andy Farrell, who is also the Ireland boss, has selected a 38-man squad comprising of talented backs and forwards.
The tour fixtures include matches against Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, and an Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV, leading up to the Test series against Australia. The Lions will face the Wallabies in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19, followed by matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
Overall, the Lions tour promises to be an exciting and challenging experience for both the players and fans, with the hope of reclaiming victory against Australia and showcasing the best of British and Irish rugby talent on the international stage.
