After the defeat by Argentina, I’d have thought it would have been important to give Lions skipper Maro Itoje the chance to get off to a winning start in Australia.
I’m surprised he’s not in the team to face Western Force. If I was in Andy Farrell’s shoes, I’d have started the England captain in Perth on Saturday.
I have a saying that it’s easy to make these sorts of comments from the green seats. As head coach, Farrell will have his reasoning on selection. And it’s not necessarily a bad decision to not involve Itoje.
However, I’m sure the second row would like to play. Even without Itoje, the Lions have named a strong 23 for their first game Down Under.
I expect Farrell’s side to win and win well. And that’s why I think Itoje would want to be part of it.
If the Lions had beaten Argentina, I wouldn’t be saying this. Captaining the team for the first time would have been a hugely proud moment for Itoje, as well as for all the players who were making Lions debuts.
Maro Itoje has not been named in Andy Farrell’s side to take on Western Force on Saturday
Itoje captained the Lions for the first time in the 28-24 defeat against Argentina in Dublin
Farrell named Itoje as his captain in May, with the lock describing it as an honour of a lifetime
That’s why I’m sure it would have been a huge disappointment to have lost the game.
As captain of the Lions, you’re the main person driving team meetings and the messaging throughout the week. Itoje is clearly very good at that.
He’s been an exceptional captain for England since taking over from Jamie George. But any leader wants to put their stamp on the team.
That’s why I’d have allowed him the chance to continue to do that against Western Force.
Even the best players, who have seen and done it all, benefit from the confidence a win provides and Itoje falls into that bracket.
Farrell confirmed that Itoje isn’t injured. He emphasised the need to look at other players and to make sure they’re up to speed in case other locks have to cover for Itoje further down the line.
I take that point and, to repeat, as coach Farrell is entirely justified to have his own opinion. Mine, however, differs slightly.
The series against Australia is the England captain’s third tour with the British & Irish Lions
The lock won six caps for the Lions across his previous tours – and is now set to be captain
It seems clear that barring injury, Itoje will be the Test captain against Australia, and rightly so.
With that in mind, as the Lions settle into the tour, it would be a good thing for him to stay consistent as the leader of the Saturday team.
That will give him some good playing rhythm building into the Tests against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
I can’t see Itoje playing many, if any, of the midweek matches. So, he may well not feature again until the game against the New South Wales Waratahs on July 5.
I don’t have any concerns about Itoje being undercooked. But for the Lions to come together as quickly as possible – and the Argentina game showed they’re not quite there yet – the team would benefit from having their tour captain on the field as much as possible.
Such a statement is not meant to disparage any of the other players selected, including Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan, who is captain this weekend.
Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan will captain the Lions in Itoje’s absence in Perth on Saturday
There are still fitness concerns over Jamison Gibson-Park, who is struggling with a glute injury
Far from it, in fact. The team selected for Western Force is far better than the one which played in Dublin. There are 13 changes from the Argentina game.
The presence of a heavy Leinster contingent gives a mean look to the squad. I’m excited by the centre pairing of Garrry Ringrose and Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu, as well as the back-row combination, which sees England’s Henry Pollock start alongside Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier.
One concern is that Jamison Gibson-Park isn’t included. The Lions keep saying he’s progressing well from a glute injury.
But until we see the No 9 on the field, he’s a worry. I’m looking forward to seeing Tomos Williams, who gets a great chance to impress at scrum-half in his place.
