Maro Itoje to captain Lions for first time against Argentina
Itoje leads a starting XV that features Marcus Smith at full-back and will be directed by England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith.
Tadhg Furlong will be given the opportunity to prove his fitness after struggling with a calf injury that ruled him out of Leinster's United Rugby Championship final victory over the Bulls.
Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025
Furlong is included on a bench that also features hooker Ronan Kelleher, the only player to be involved against the Pumas six days after taking part in the end-of-season finals.
'Congratulations to Maro Itoje ahead of leading out the Lions for the first time. It's a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience,' head coach Andy Farrell said.
'Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.'
Furlong has been troubled by calf and hamstring injuries all season, forcing him to miss the 2024 autumn series and this year's Six Nations.
If fit, the three-times Lions tourist will be favourite to start at tighthead prop in the Test series against the Wallabies. He has the curtain raiser to the tour of Australia to prove he is ready.
Duhan van der Merwe is another player looking to demonstrate his fitness ahead of Saturday's departure Down Under, having been limited to just 11 minutes of action since the Six Nations because of ankle ligament damage.
The Scotland wing is part of a heavy duty three-quarter line that features England try machine Tommy Freeman and bulldozing centres Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu.
As many as 14 players could make their Lions debuts in the tourists' first-ever match on Irish soil, among them the rising star of English rugby Henry Pollock, following his selection on the bench.
Pollock – at 20 years old, the squad's youngest player – provides cover for starting flankers Tom Curry and Jac Morgan.
Much of Farrell's first-team selection as Lions head coach picked itself, given 15 of his stars were involved in the URC and Gallagher Premiership finals on Saturday, effectively ruling them out against Argentina.
Kelleher's participation at Croke Park was limited to 25 minutes off the bench.
'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,' Farrell said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
30 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Steve Borthwick wants as many England players as possible involved with Lions
There are five uncapped names in an experimental England squad that was announced on Thursday, three of whom are set to start the match, with 14 players currently in Dublin with Andy Farrell's side for Friday's game against Argentina following Jack van Poortvliet's call-up this week. Amongst those playing from the start in west London will be Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson, selected after an impressive year in what was only a second professional season at Kingsholm for the 23-year-old, during which he ranked top in carries, tackles, and passes amongst centres in the Premiership. Back in action this weekend 🙌 Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face a France XV this Saturday at @allianz_stad 🌹 Watch live and free on @RugbyPass TV 📺@O2 | #WearTheRose — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 19, 2025 With this summer's tour of Argentina and the United States overlapping with the Lions' time in Australia, Borthwick is looking forward to experimenting with his side beyond Saturday's non-cap international. 'We've spoken very publicly, we want as many England players in that Lions squad as possible,' he said. 'JVP is over there at the minute with them. There might be situations where other England players join that squad and we'll be delighted for our players to do that. 'It creates opportunities for others in the England squad. What I'm seeing so far this week is players grabbing that opportunity. 'Seb Atkinson, starting at 12 this week, the way he has embraced training, the way he's jumped into it. He's smashed every record we have on GPS in terms of his running. 'We have a group of players – Sladey (Henry Slade), Tommy Freeman, Freddie Steward – Seb has come in and put himself right in that mix or even just above that. When that happens, you're raising the standard of everybody.' Also set to start on Saturday is Bath flanker Guy Pepper fresh from a starring role in Saturday's Premiership final win over Leicester. The 22-year-old, who was awarded man of the match as Bath ended a 29-year wait for the title, was called up to train with the team during the 2024 Six Nations having made an impression on Borthwick during his time at Newcastle. 'You've seen enormous growth in Guy,' he said. 'The first time I met Guy was about 18 months ago at a hotel in Newcastle airport. I had a coffee with Guy and watched his game the next day. 'He hurt his hip and had to leave the field after about 30 minutes but in that 30 minutes he played so well. I thought then this is a player that's got a future in the England team. 'Since then his game has grown and grown. You saw his performance Saturday in the Premiership final, he's been tremendous. I'm looking forward to seeing him at this level.' Borthwick pointed to the emergence of Tom Curry for England in 2017 when the Lions were touring as reason why Saturday's non-cap match should be respected. 'The way change happens is, when opportunity comes along, somebody grabs it,' said Borthwick. 'The players understand that. 'The number of players in 2017 who emerged on that tour that summer who played such significant roles in a team that went to the World Cup final a few years later in 2019, the likes of Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Mark Wilson emerged on that tour. 'That's the opportunity that presents itself this summer.'
Wales Online
37 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Wales' big new rugby hope being mentored by England and Lions star
Wales' big new rugby hope being mentored by England and Lions star Sam Scott has been taken under the wing of an England international Wales U20s tighthead prop Sam Scott (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Big things are expected of Wales U20 tighthead Sam Scott in the coming seasons, but the rising Welsh prop is receiving invaluable guidance from an unlikely mentor — England international Ellis Genge. The two are team-mates at Bristol Bears, with loosehead Genge having taken Scott under his wing at Ashton Gate. This summer the sometimes outspoken Genge will be packing down for the British & Irish Lions in Australia, while Scott will be the cornerstone of Wales U20s' assault on the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. Genge took to social media platform X earlier this year to describe Scott as a "legend" and went on to say "he's a proper grounded young kid who knows the craic". "He's been class with me and we get on really well," Scott tells WalesOnline. "He's a British & Irish Lion now and having him around has been great. "He's an inspiration of mine and having him around in camp is pretty good. I really appreciate everything he does for me. Article continues below "I have scrummaged against him a couple of times this year and as you can imagine being only 19 and coming up against him is pretty tough. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "But scrummaging against someone like Ellis is the best thing for me. "He will tell me what to do after each scrum. "Compared to my first scrum against Ellis, the last scrum was much better. "I've really grown as a player as a result." Tighthead prop hasn't been a position of strength in Wales over the past few years but there is a lot of expectation pinned on 18st 8lb Scott's young shoulders. Former Wales boss Warren Gatland was a big fan of the Llantwit Fardre product and even considered taking him on the senior tour of Australia last summer. Scott is a powerful scrummager who gets through a ton of work around the park, whether that's through his dynamic carrying or racking up the tackles. The 19-year-old will be a key figure for Wales U20s this summer, as he was in the Six Nations victories over Ireland U20s and England U20s. He is also in the fortunate position to get help from Wales and Lions scrummaging legend Adam Jones - who is currently scrum coach with the senior men's side. "I've had a couple of conversations with Adam, especially after the Harlequins v Bristol game when he came up to me and we had a little chat about the game," he said. "It's nice that they all know who I am and they are keeping an eye on me. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "It's unbelievable. He's somebody I've looked up to for years and it's class that he's looking out for me. "The USP for me is to scrummage and do the bits around the park, whether that's tackling or carrying the ball. "I like to get involved and not be the one who just stands by the breakdown and hits rucks. "When I was younger it was a case of 'pass the ball to Sam and he'll make metres', so I think that's where my ball carrying comes from. "I've always been a big front-rower and I wouldn't change it for any other position." Wales U20s have been drawn in a tough World Cup pool which includes France, Argentina and Spain but Scott is supremely confident Wales will go far in the competition. "Internally we've set ourselves the goal of reaching the top four but in my opinion we can push higher than that," added Scott. "Argentina, Spain and France will be a tough test but I think if all the boys turn up like we did against Ireland and England we will go well. "Beating England in the Six Nations has given us huge confidence because they are last year's world champions so to be able to turn them over was huge for us. "We want to use it as a stepping stone to do well in this competition and that we can go on and win this. "On our day we can beat anyone." Scott has recently signed a new long-term contract to remain at Bristol Bears and has set high targets to reach over the next couple of seasons. "The goal for me next year is to push as far as I can," he tells WalesOnline. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "I won't be playing with the U20s next year so I want to be playing at the highest level I can, whether that's the Premiership Cup, the Premiership or even pushing to try to get into that senior Wales squad. "I've got big aspirations for the future. I've loved Bristol and I'm happy there. Article continues below "Who knows what will happen in the future but at the moment I see myself at Bristol."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Club World Cup clash SUSPENDED as fans and commentators told to leave stands and ‘get inside'
An English referee was in charge of the game GAME STOPPED Club World Cup clash SUSPENDED as fans and commentators told to leave stands and 'get inside' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PALMEIRAS' Club World Cup clash with Al-Ahly has been suspended due to lightning in the area. The Brazilians led 2-0 on 62 minutes, when English referee Anthony Taylor was forced to stop the game in New York. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Anthony Taylor waved both sides back in THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
