English Second-Row Forward Maro Itoje Named Captain of British and Irish Lions for Upcoming Australia Tour, Marking First Time an English Captain Leads the Team in Over 20 Years.
Rewritten Article:
The British and Irish Lions squad has been revealed, with Maro Itoje stepping into the captain's role, becoming the first English skipper in over 20 long years. In a event held at The O2 in London, head coach Andy Farrell announced his team for the upcoming 10-fixture tour.
Itoje, a 93-cap Saracens second row, took the stage to accept his captaincy, making history as the first ever black Lions captain. "I'm utterly overwhelmed, man," he said during the presentation. "It feels incredible to be selected as the captain of such an iconic team."
This year's appointment sees Itoje breaking a two-decade-long English reign, with Martin Johnson being the last English captain in 2001. The 38-man squad is set for a grueling tour of Australia, featuring three test matches and six warm-up fixtures.
Recent Impressive Performance Leads to Captaincy
Farrell tapped Itoje for the role after a commendable performance leading England during the 2025 Six Nations, helping England earn the runners-up title. Itoje made six appearances on previous Lions tours in 2017 and 2021.
Newcomers to the Lions squad include test rookie, Henry Pollock, who burst onto the scene this March, making his England debut at just 20 years old and nabbing two tries off the bench against Wales.
Up and Comer Henry Pollock Makes the Cut
Farrell discussed Pollock during a press conference: "When you see a player like him performing at this level, it's hard to deny him a chance, especially when he's been proving himself week after week."
Unfortunately, not everyone who excelled made the cut, with Owen Farrell and Caelan Doris missing out due to injuries. It remains to be seen how Maro Itoje will lead his team through the trials and tribulations of the upcoming tour.
What are the British and Irish Lions?
First and foremost, the British and Irish Lions is a highly-anticipated rugby union team, spotlighting players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The team takes on a tour every four years to lock horns in test series matches against legendary southern hemisphere rugby teams. In 2025, the Lions are heading back to Australia for three test matches and six warm-up fixtures.
The prestigious team was founded to unite the best players from the Home Nations and take on the powerful rugby teams of the southern hemisphere, forming a unique and storied team dynamic. Over the years, tours by the Lions have resulted in iconic moments and legendary players, keeping spirits high for international rugby fans [1][2][4].
The 2025 squad lives up to tradition, boasting 38 players representing 15 diverse clubs. Leinster's impressive contribution of 12 players highlights their dominance across the European rugby scene. The squad features retired players as well as fresh talent, symbolizing a harmonious blend of experience and energy [1][2][5].
- Maro Itoje, an English second row for Saracens, has been appointed as the captain of the British and Irish Lions, making history as the first black Lions captain and breaking a two-decade-long English reign.
- The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia will see Itoje lead a 38-man squad, including test rookie Henry Pollock, who made his England debut at just 20 years old and scored two tries against Wales.
- sports fans across Europe and beyond are eagerly anticipating the Lions' 10-fixture tour, which includes three test matches and six warm-up fixtures, with the prestigious team known for taking on legendary southern hemisphere rugby teams.
- Despite impressive performances, Owen Farrell and Caelan Doris could not make the cut due to injuries, leaving the question of how Maro Itoje will lead his team through the trials and tribulations of the upcoming tour.
- The British and Irish Lions, a rugby union team representing players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, is renowned for its unique team dynamic, iconic moments, and legendary players, forming a storied chapter in international rugby history.
