Maro Itoje, already captain of the XV of the Rose, takes advantage of his good shape and the dynamics of the English team, second of the last six -nations tournament, to take the capitalatanat of this selection bringing together the best English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh players every four years.
At 30, the second line at the six selections with the lions known in 2017 and 2021 will take a selection of 38 players where 15 Irish, 13 English, 8 Scottish and two Welsh appear. Itoje, who evolves at the Saracens, was the favorite to take on the role of captain for this tour in Australia, while one of his main competitors, the Irishman Caelan Doris, was injured last week. Touched in the shoulder with the Leinster during the semi-final of Champions Cup lost against the English of Northampton, he is not part of the list unveiled on Thursday.
On the other hand, the third line of Northampton Henry Pollock, who brilliantly distinguished himself against the Leinster on Saturday, is part of the workforce at only 20 years old.
-Smith, Smith et Russell
Andy Farrell also decided to call the back or winger of the Toulouse stadium Blair Kinghorn, despite a sprained knee suffered last week. At 28, Kinghorn will discover the Lions, unlike his teammate with the Red and Black, the third English line Jack Willis, not called. Kinghorn could however join the workforce after the rest of the group, if Toulouse ever manages to rise to the final of the Top 14, scheduled for June 28.
The Toulouse stadium only has the obligation to release it from July 1, it could therefore stay with its club to conquer a new Brennus shield. The Lions will already be in Perth to face the Western Force, while the rally will start with a friendly match against Argentina on June 20 in Dublin.
As a half opening, Farrell selected English at the end of Smith, very good with Northampton and England, as well as the Ecossais Finn Russell. Marcus Smith, whose presence was uncertain, is also one of the elected officials.
