British & Irish Lions squad announcement: Maro Itoje named captain by Andy Farrell as Henry Pollock and Fin Smith called up, Caelan Doris misses out
Updated 08/05/2025 at 15:59 GMT+1
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Maro Itoje has been named the Lions captain as head coach Andy Farrell announced his squad for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer. The squad was named at an event in London on Thursday May 8. There was a place for fast-rising England star Henry Pollock, but Caelan Doris was not selected after suffering an injury.
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Andy Farrell has announced his squad for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, with Maro Itoje named as captain.
English prodigy Henry Pollock has been selected in the squad, but there is no place for Farrell's son Owen Farrell or injured Ireland skipper Caelan Doris.
There was only room for two Welsh stars in the 38-player squad, Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, while Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were named as the three fly-halves.
Itoje admitted that it was an honour to be selected British & Irish Lions captain during the announcement event in London on Thursday.
"It feels amazing to be named Lions captain," he said.
"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."
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The squad features 15 Irish players, 13 Englishmen, eight Scots and two Welsh stars.
Farrell believes that England and Saracens lock Itoje understands what it means to represent the British & Irish Lions.
"I want to congratulate Maro on being named captain of the British & Irish Lions," said Farrell.
"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.
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"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."
Despite omitting his son from the squad, Farrell left the door open for the England fly-half to join the tour at a later stage.
"In the conversation obviously, an experienced player like that," he said.
"We got to a point where, a few other players as well, we feel like Owen is still trying to find his way back to fitness.
"There's 38 picked which leaves a couple of spots open for us down the track, and Owen will be in that bracket."
The British & Irish Lions head coach also admitted that Doris would have been in contention for a place in the squad, were it not for his injury.
"He's devastated, he would have definitely been in the mix, he would have been an experienced player and leader," he said.
"Sport can be cruel, but Caelan will be back bigger and stronger."
Pollock's selection caps a remarkable rise to the top table of international rugby.
The 20-year-old Northampton Saints star only made his international debut in March, but he scored twice in a convincing win against Wales.
Farrell admitted that he has only seen Pollock play live twice.
"His confidence, he's cocky," added Farrell.
"But what do we want... it's about the here and now if he's performing, then he's ready.
"I think everyone can see the fight in him, I'm sure he will push those that didn't see him coming.
"I wouldn't say I was certain [on picking him], I wouldn't say I needed convincing either.
"I've only seen him play twice, he's always trying to make a difference.
"That's what I like seeing in his game."
Full British & Irish Lions squad
Forwards:
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #848
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Backs:
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
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