British & Irish Lions: Maro Itoje and others have say on which players have stood out ahead of Australia tour - 'I've gained a lot of respect for him'
Published 17/06/2025 at 15:37 GMT+1
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The British & Irish Lions is the dream team concept that keeps on giving. The 2025 edition is starting in earnest, as the elite of the home nations take on Argentina in Dublin before heading to Australia for a three-Test series. Ahead of their first competitive outing, the squad - including skipper Maro Itoje - have been naming which players have impressed them the most so far.
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The British & Irish Lions squad have shared which players have impressed them the most in camp so far, with some eye-catching names put forward.
The Lions take to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this Friday evening, taking on Argentina in a send-off outing before heading to Australia.
After spending time in Portugal to train - and face the Portuguese national side - the squad flew to Ireland in readiness for their first match in the red jersey.
In the first episode of the Lions' mini-documentary 'The Ultimate Test', there was a chance to go behind the scenes and hear from the players.
Set a task by head coach Andy Farrell to name a player they had "gained a little bit more respect for" in recent weeks, Ireland wing Mack Hansen began.
"Mine's going to be Marcus [Smith]," Hansen said.
"I've always thought Marcus is an incredible player, and then since coming in here, the last couple of days that we've spent together, I've got to really know him as a person and everything and I just think that he's an absolute gent.
"When you look at him, you could think that maybe he's a little bit of a ******, but he's actually a great bloke.
"So I've gained a lot of respect for him from that, I think he's a really genuine person."
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After Bundee Aki picked Sione Tuipulotu as his choice, it was skipper Maro Itoje's turn.
The England lock selected a countryman who had gone up in his estimations.
"I'm going to go with Tommy, Tommy Freeman," Itoje said.
"Just seeing how he's grown over the last year, two years, but more specifically just seeing how he fronted up in the [European Champions Cup] final.
"I thought he played amazing and he kind of just showcased his talent."
Farrell, addressing Freeman, added: "It takes a big man to say that about you.
"But you should embrace it, you should be proud of yourself, that he thinks that of you."
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There was an emotional moment when Farrell talked about the moment he called up Finlay Bealham to the squad, with the usually stoic Englishman admitting he "welled up".
"I can honestly say, lads, that it was one of the best conversations that I've ever had in my life," Farrell said.
"I was able to phone Finlay - he thought he might have been in for the Argentina game because of injuries.
"I said you're not just in for Argentina, you've made it onto the plane, you're coming to Australia.
"Then it went quiet and he let everything out, all the emotion out.
"That is it right there, lads. That's how it should mean to be a British & Irish Lion. I actually welled up myself."
In a team news update, Jack van Poortvliet was added to the squad on Tuesday, joining as cover ahead of Friday's clash with Argentina.
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