Maro Itoje will fittingly lead The British & Irish Lions out for their first match of the summer on Friday, as Andy Farrell’s men play Argentina for the 1888 Cup.
Itoje, the Tour captain, skippers a team of eight debutants as Farrell and his coaching staff get their first glance at the squad before departing for Australia at the weekend.
The headline news includes both Fin and Marcus Smith in the starting XV and Jac Morgan in the back row, while the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Duhan van der Merwe and Mack Hansen have all recovered from injuries in time to play.
Here are the main talking points.
SMITHS COMBINE
It’s a debate that could well dominate English rugby for the next decade. Fin or Marcus? Well, how about both?
Farrell was quick to point out that Marcus Smith’s versatility was a key factor in his decision to take him on a second Lions Tour and the Harlequin has an early chance to impress at full-back on Friday night.
Dangerous with ball in hand due to his quick feet, creative passing and eye for a gap, Smith will hope to wreak havoc at the Aviva Stadium.
He also has a well-established connection with fly-half Fin Smith from their England experiences and he will be expected to become a dual playmaker in midfield, just as they were for the last two rounds of the Six Nations.
With no recognised fly-half on the bench – though Elliot Daly can provide cover if required – Marcus could also step into the No.10 jersey on Friday night, giving Farrell an insight into his options.
AKI & SIONE FORM POTENT MIDFIELD
With both Smiths named, it has allowed Farrell to bulk up in midfield, and boy has he done that.
Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are a dream combination for fans of hard-hitting north-to-south rugby and they will certainly give Argentina plenty to think about.
Aki is back for his second Lions Tour and, at 35, is the oldest Lion selected this year, while Scotland captain Tuipulotu is set for his first game in the famous red jersey.
Tuipulotu often starts at inside centre for Scotland, with Huw Jones outside him, and it’s possible he and Aki – who is also adept at 13 – could rotate throughout.
FOUR THE MERRIER
Farrell has a plethora of back-row options this summer and his first team selection is enough to give Argentina headaches.
With Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier rested after their efforts for Leinster in the URC final last weekend, Farrell has opted for three specialist sevens in the starting XV – and a fourth on the bench.
Tom Curry is versatile enough to play across the back row and is a world-class blindside, while Ben Earl – a dangerous runner with the ball – is used to shifting between openside and No.8 for England. Wales captain Jac Morgan completes an interchangeable starting trio who all be a menace at the breakdown.
On the bench is Henry Pollock, the youngest Lion in the squad, and he gets his first chance to impress, back at the ground where he helped Northampton Saints to Champions Cup semi-final success last month against Leinster.
Meanwhile, with Scott Cummings on the bench, second row Tadhg Beirne could slip back from the No.5 jersey to offer ballast late in the game.
CAPTAIN MARO
Maro Itoje described the moment he was named Lions captain as the honour of a lifetime and very few people will be able to understand the pride he will feel as he walks out on Friday night.
Itoje has been quick to embrace captaincy duties and he is rewarded with a start in the very first game alongside the experienced Beirne, who made two Test appearances from the bench in 2021.
“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week,” said Farrell.
“This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.
“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide - so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”
ARGENTINA DANGEROUS
Speaking of Argentina, they named their team a little earlier on Wednesday and a glance down the teamsheet underlines why they will be a strong opponent.
Sanitago Carreras, who has entertained Premiership fans at Gloucester this season, starts at full-back with Tomas Albornoz at fly-half.
Saracens flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez is part of a back row completed by the experienced Pablo Matera and Perpignan’s Joaquin Oviedo.
"We haven't been together for seven months and now getting together with lots of new faces it has been a challenge, but the guys have been magnificent," said head coach Felipe Contepomi.
"They are training with a lot of intensity, we are very pleased with how they adapted."
