Context:

Maro Itoje reflects on his growth since the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour, where he was the youngest player and describes himself as having been 'brash and naive'. Now, with more experience and maturity, he has developed into a better communicator and team player, ready to lead the Lions tour in 2025. Itoje's leadership skills have been recognized with recent captaincy roles for Saracens and the England national team. The Lions' squad selection also highlighted positional versatility, with Marcus Smith's ability to play both fly-half and full-back being a deciding factor. The selection announcement sparked celebrations among players and teams, capturing the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming tour.

Dive Deeper:

• Maro Itoje has matured since his first Lions tour in 2017, where he played a crucial role in helping the team draw the series against the All Blacks after losing the first Test.

• Itoje emphasizes his growth in communication and understanding of himself, which has prepared him for his role as captain of the 2025 Lions tour.

• His recent captaincy roles, including leading Saracens and the England national team, reflect his readiness and competence as a leader.

• The Lions' squad announcement brought attention to Marcus Smith's dual capability as a fly-half and full-back, which played a key role in his selection over other specialists.

• Celebrations erupted as players and teams received news of their selection, with various anecdotes highlighting the joy and camaraderie among teammates.

• Ellis Genge's first-time selection and the collective excitement of Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, and other teams underscored the significance of the Lions tour.

• The versatility of players is seen as invaluable for the Lions tour, with discussions around balancing specialist positions and the ability to adapt to different roles.