Head coach Andy Farrell has appointed England star Maro Itoje as the British and Irish Lions captain for the tour to Australia.
Itoje will become the first Englishman to captain the famous invitational team in 24 years, following fellow countryman and lock Martin Johnson, who skippered the team against the Wallabies in 2001.
The 30-year-old succeeds Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones, with whom he started alongside in the second-row in all three Test matches against the Springboks four years ago.
It will be Itoje’s third tour, having played all three matches against the All Blacks back in 2017. He has started five of his six British and Irish Lions Test matches, the exception being his debut in the first game against New Zealand.
Ireland captain Caelan Doris was the leading candidate to skipper the team with Itoje in close second, but the number eight sustained a shoulder injury in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints.
That injury has ruled him out of the tour to Australia, with Itoje now taking on the leadership role instead. It’s a huge achievement for the lock who only captained England for the first time during the year’s Six Nations.
British & Irish Lions squad announcement, LIVE: Our blog of a massive day at The O2 in London
British and Irish Lions’ fixtures
Friday, June 20
British and Irish Lions v Argentina
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 8:00pm BST, 5.00 a.m. Saturday AEST
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Saturday, June 28
Western Force v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
Wednesday, July 2
Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Saturday, July 5
NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Wednesday, July 9
ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Saturday, July 12
Invitational Australia and New Zealand v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Saturday, July 19
Australia v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Tuesday, July 22
First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Stadium
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Saturday, July 26
Australia v British and Irish Lions
Venue: MCG Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Saturday, August 2
Australia v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 7:45pm AEST, 10:45am BST
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
READ MORE: Quiz: Can you name every British and Irish Lions captain since 1974?
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/maro-itoje-named-british-and-irish-lions-captain-ending-24-year-drought
