In Video: British & Irish Lions: Maro Itoje named captain as Andy Farrell reveals 38 players to tour Australia

A New Era for the British and Irish Lions: Maro Itoje Confirmed as 2025 Tour Captain

The British and Irish Lions have today announced their squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, and with it comes a historic moment in the team’s history. Maro Itoje has been confirmed as the captain of the squad, marking the first time a black player has held the position and the first Englishman to do so in over 20 years.

Itoje’s Emotional Reaction

Itoje was visibly emotional as he spoke about the honour of being chosen as captain. "It’s a tremendous honour. It’s a tremendous privilege… I’ll do my very best to make sure I can contribute to a successful tour." He shared how he found out about the news, recalling a phone call from an Irish number with a Wigan accent, which he initially thought was a prank.

The Squad Announcement

As expected, the squad of 38 players was announced, with a mix of seasoned stars and promising young talent. The forwards boast 21 players, including Itoje, with the backs comprising 17 players. The full squad list can be found below.

Coaches’ Insights

Head coach Andy Farrell and his team had to navigate some tough conversations to select the final 38 players. "It’s been great… it’s been robust… it’s been a challenge," said Farrell. "We’ve tried to do every player justice, but it’s been a difficult process."

What’s Next?

The Lions’ tour of Australia kicks off on June 23, with every match live on Sky Sports. The squad has been bolstered by a mix of experience and youth, and the team will look to make a strong impression in the upcoming matches. As Itoje said, "It’s not long now until it all begins… every match of the Lions Tour of Australia will be live on Sky Sports."

The Squad:

Forwards:

• Ty Bernie
• Ollie Chessum
• Jack Conan
• Luke Cowan-Dickie
• Scott Cummings
• Tom Curry
• Ben Lar
• Xander Fagerson
• Tadhg Furlong
• Ellis Genge
• Maro Itoje (captain)
• Ronan Kellaher
• Joe McCarthy
• Jack Morgan
• Henry Pollock
• Andrew Porter
• James Ryan
• Pierre Schuman
• Dan Sheehan
• Will Stewart
• Josh Vanderlegh

Backs:

• Bundee Aki
• Elliot Daly
• Tommy Freeman
• Jameson Gibbs-Park
• Finny Gibson (should be Park)
• M Hansen
• Hugh Jones
• Hugo Keenan
• Blair Kinghorn
• James Lowe
• Alex Mitchell
• Gary Renrose
• Finn Russell
• Finn Smith
• Marcus Smith
• Sione Palatupo
• Duan Vanoa
• Thomas Williams