Lions Squad announced for the 2025 Tour to Australia

Head Coach Andy Farrell has named Maro Itoje as captain of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Men’s Tour to Australia, 2025.

Itoje will skipper the 38-man squad in his third Tour. For the very first time, The Lions squad was unveiled in front of more than 2,000 fans at indigo at The O2 in London.

The squad features 26 first time tourists, while nine players will participate in their second Lions Tour. Tadhg Furlong and Elliot Daly have also been selected for a third Lions Tour.

Northampton Saints back row Henry Pollock is the youngest member of the touring party at just 20 years of age.

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Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell, said: “I want to congratulate Maro on being named captain of The British & Irish Lions.

“This is a great honour for Maro, his family and everyone who has supported him throughout his career from Saracens to England - and on to The Lions in 2017 and 2021.

“As a two-time tourist, 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.”

Speaking about the squad, Farrell added: “Since we met as a coaching unit for the very first time six weeks ago we have been discussing more than 75 players of interest.

“But the key job is getting that squad balance right as we prepare for a long and demanding tour that finishes with a Three Test Series against the Wallabies.

“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.”

England captain Itoje, was the youngest player on the 2017 tour of New Zealand. He has featured in all six of The Lions’ last Test matches and was voted as the Lions’ Player of the Series in South Africa, 2021.

The 2025 Lions Tour Captain Itoje said: “It feels amazing to be named Lions captain. I’m deeply honoured, humbled and I will do my best to do the role justice.

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, it’s going to be a great Tour. I know the appetite amongst the players is extremely high, everyone is hungry to be a Lion and I can’t wait to play my role.”

The Lions will face Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin, Ireland on Friday, June 20 before heading down under. The Tour includes fixtures against Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, ANZAC Invitational XV, First Nations & Pasifika XV and three Tests against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.

The British & Irish Lions Chair and Tour Manager Ieuan Evans, MBE said: “It was my great privilege and thrill to announce the players selected by Andy Farrell and his coaching group for the 2025 Australia Tour. “I wish all the players and our new captain Maro Itoje the very best of luck. These are very special days and I am sure all the players will continue to show the qualities of a Lion for the final few weeks of the season before flying to Australia.

“There is no higher honour in our sport than being selected for a Lions tour and this fantastic group will come together to represent the very best of our four Unions and seek to achieve greatness with a series win over the Wallabies.”

Lions CEO Ben Calveley said: “To be able to share the excitement of our first ever squad announcement amongst more than 2,000 fans at The O2 illustrates why the Lions is so unique.

“The Sea of Red will now come together and get behind this young and impressive squad that Andy Farrell and his assistant coaches have selected.

“The live broadcast on Sky Sports ensured a large audience had the opportunity to watch as each player was announced.

“Whilst our digital channels drive engagement around the world as excitement continues to build ahead of the tour.”