00:00Sat under the Girona sun last October, Mario Itoje calmly fielded questions about a potential
00:09British and Irish Lions captaincy, carefully saying little while hinting at plenty.
00:15It's an ambition of every British and Irish player to wear that red jersey, he said, with
00:20his usual poise.
00:22Fast forward seven months and Itoje has been named as Lions skipper for the 2025 Tour of
00:28Australia, taking on one of rugby's greatest honours.
00:32The England lock has steadily grown into leadership roles at Saracens under Steve Borthwick.
00:38And now in a rare move, only three Englishmen have ever led the Lions.
00:44Since 1936, Itoje follows legends Bill Beaumont and Martin Johnson in leading the famous Tourists.
00:51Like Johnson, he leads by example, demanding the highest standards from himself and others,
00:59shaped by a relentless Saracens culture.
01:03His elevation was aided by form and timing.
01:06A strong Six Nations combined with Caelan Doris' unfortunate injury left few viable alternatives.
01:13Crucially, Itoje is not just the captain.
01:16He's one of the Lions' best players, rising to the occasion on both previous tours in 2017 and 2021.
01:26Welsh influence is at its lowest point in the post-war era.
01:30Only Jack Morgan and Thomas Williams made the cut, sobering for a proud rugby nation with a rich Lions legacy.
01:37Morgan's timeless efforts in a struggling Wales team made him impossible to ignore,
01:44while Williams' fine form at Gloucester sealed his place.
01:48Blair Murray tipped as a potential bolter, was overlooked,
01:53but his player of the match, showing for the Scarletts against the Lions in Johannesburg, may yet earn him a late call.
02:00Coach Andy Farrell hinted at openings still to be filled, urging hopefuls to stay fit.
02:07The Lions are changing and Itoje stands ready to lead the next chapter.
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