Itoje Named Lions Captain, As Farrell Unveils 2025 Squad For Australia Tour
Itoje Named Lions Captain, As Farrell Unveils 2025 Squad For Australia Tour
Maro Itoje named captain of British & Irish Lions 2025 squad, as Andy Farrell announces 38-man team for Australia tour, featuring 26 first-time tourists.
Maro Itoje will lead the British & Irish Lions on their 2025 tour to Australia, as head coach Andy Farrell named a 38-man squad Thursday in a historic announcement in front of more than 2,000 fans at indigo at The O2 in London.
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Itoje, 29, becomes the latest England forward to captain the iconic team, having featured on both the 2017 and 2021 tours.
The Saracens lock, who has played in all six of the Lions’ most recent tests, was named Player of the Series in South Africa four years ago.
“It feels amazing to be named Lions captain,” Itoje said. “I’m deeply honored and humbled, and I will do my best to do the role justice. I know the appetite among the players is extremely high. Everyone is hungry to be a Lion.”
Farrell emphasized Itoje’s leadership qualities and experience as key reasons behind the appointment.
“As a two-time tourist, Maro fully understands what the Lions are all about,” Farrell said. “He knows the role of the captain in helping the group achieve its goal of winning a test series this summer.”
The squad includes 26 first-time tourists and nine players making their second appearance.
Itoje, Tadhg Furlong and Elliot Daly are the only players selected for their third Lions tour.
Northampton Saints backrow Henry Pollock, at just 20, is the youngest member of the touring party.
Farrell’s squad reflects the physical and tactical demands of a grueling schedule that includes a match against Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin on June 20, followed by eight fixtures in Australia, culminating in a three-test series against the Wallabies.
“We’ve been discussing more than 75 players, but getting the balance right was key,” Farrell said. “I am very excited about working with this group and believe they have the capacity to achieve something special and add to the Lions' legacy.”
Full 2025 British & Irish Lions Squad
Forwards (21):
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Maro Itoje (England, Captain), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Will Stuart (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland).
Backs (17):
Bundee Aki (Ireland), Elliot Daly (England), Tommy Freeman (England), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (England), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), Marcus Smith (England), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Tomos Williams (Wales).
Chairman Ieuan Evans and CEO Ben Calveley echoed the excitement of the announcement, praising the blend of youth and experience.
“There is no higher honor in our sport than being selected for a Lions tour,” Evans said.
The Lions begin their tour June 20 and will face domestic and invitational sides before testing their strength against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies in the highly anticipated three-test series.
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