The Japan Times - Itoje grateful for 'tremendous honour' of leading Lions in Australia

The 30-year-old lock only took over as England skipper ahead of this season's Six Nations but 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 a tremendous honour, it's a tremendous privilege," said Itoje after taking the stage at London's O2 Arena where some 2,000 spectators were present -- the first time there had been an audience of fans for a Lions squad announcement.

"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."

Farrell said: "As a two-time tourist (in 2017 and 2021), Maro fully understands what the Lions is all about and also the role of the captain in helping the group achieve its goal of winning a Test series this summer."

Itoje's path to the Lions captaincy was eased when his main rival for the coveted post, Caelan Doris, suffered a shoulder injury playing in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton last weekend.

The Ireland No 8 was ruled out of the squad as he requires surgery.

Itoje is the first English player to lead the Lions -- made up of leading players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales -- since Martin Johnson in 2001.

But there was no place in a 38-man squad for former England captain Owen Farrell, the son of Andy Farrell.

Owen Farrell is barred from representing England after deciding to play his club rugby outside of the country at Paris-based Racing 92, and has suffered an injury-hit debut season in France.

Scotland back three Blair Kinghorn, who plays for Top 14 and European champions Toulouse, was the lone France-based player in the squad.

- Pollock the 'bolter' -

Henry Pollock may be a fledgling international but the 20-year-old Northampton back-row is the latest 'bolter' to be chosen by the 137-year-old Lions.

Pollock only made his England debut in March, but came off the bench to score two tries during a 68-14 rout of Wales in Cardiff in the last round of the Six Nations.

Pollock has since underlined that form and was outstanding in Northampton's 37-34 victory away to Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

Scotland's Finn Russell is one of three fly-halves in the squad together with the England duo of Marcus Smith and Fin Smith after England veteran George Ford and Ireland rising star Sam Prendergast missed out.

Australia-born centre Sione Tuipulotu, absent from the whole Six Nations with injury, was one of eight Scotland players selected, with Ireland (15) and England (13) providing the bulk of the squad.

Back row Jac Morgan and scrum-half Tomos Williams were the only two Welsh players included, with Wales having not won a Test since the 2023 World Cup.

"Getting it down to the final 38 -- it is my job to play devil's advocate," said Farrell. "From 55 (players) to the 38 is extremely difficult."

The 10-match Lions tour begins 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) to follow.

The Wallabies have long been regarded as the easiest side for the Lions, who only tour one of Australia and rugby superpowers New Zealand an South Africa once every four years, to beat.

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.

M.Matsumoto--JT