9/5/2025
Newly appointed British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje said one his goals is to make the team tougher as they prepare to go on tour Australia.
Two-time tourist Itoje is the first Englishman to captain the side for 24 years and is one of 38 players headed Down Under this summer.
The Lions venture to Australia for the first time since 2013 – a series they won 2-1 – and skipper Itoje has laid down what he expects from his squad if they want to come home with the spoils again this time around.
“In terms of the type of rugby and the philosophies, that will be dictated by the coaches and Andy, but I want this Lions squad to be tough,” he said.
“I look at that forward pack and I see a group that’s tough.
“I want us to be tight, that’s a huge thing. I want us to be an incredibly tight group of players that have each other’s backs, and play with a passion, an energy and zeal that you expect from a Lions squad.
“Regardless of who’s playing or what combination, that’s what the fans would expect of us.”
“There are a few things (I would tell them),” said the six-Test Lion. “The Lions works when the players are selfless. We all have to be selfless and put the Lions at the forefront of our minds and do whatever we can to make sure this is a successful tour.
“But, I also want players to enjoy it. This is an incredibly unique experience, tomorrow isn’t promised. Who knows if the guys on this tour will go again, you can’t imagine what’s going to happen in four years’ time.”
Born to Nigerian parents in London England, Itoje led his country to a second-place finish in the Six Nations and has made 93 caps for England across nine years. Itoje was present at the announcement of the Lions squad on Thursday in front of an audience of more than 2,000 rugby fans at The O2 arena in London.