Overview

• Maro Itoje, England's 30-year-old lock, becomes the first Black captain of the Lions and the first English captain since 2001.
• The 38-player squad includes 15 Irish, 13 English, 8 Scottish, and 2 Welsh players, with a notable absence of former England captain Owen Farrell.
• Ireland captain Caelan Doris is ruled out due to a shoulder injury requiring surgery, while Henry Pollock earns a surprise selection after just one England cap.
• The Lions squad was revealed live to over 2,000 fans at London's O2 Arena, marking a shift towards greater fan engagement.
• The tour begins June 20 with a match against Argentina in Dublin, followed by three Test matches against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.