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Jack Ogalbe: Injury hell harsh on Doris but Maro the right man to lead the Lions

Jack Ogalbe assess the talking points from Andy Farrell's 38-man squad announcement for this summer's British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia

British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje (left) and head coach Andy Farrell
British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje (left) and head coach Andy FarrellCredit: Sportsfile via Getty Images

Not many sporting institutions transcend their game like the British & Irish Lions and few events divide their discipline like selection day for the quadrennial tour.

Andy Farrell announced his chosen 38 for this summer's trip to Australia on Thursday – and there was one massive hard luck story.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris was a candidate to captain the side but, cruelly, a shoulder injury means he is expected to miss the next four to six months.

It is horrible for Doris, but like several Irish players, his form has fluctuated since crashing out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and his Leinster and Ireland teams have too often fallen short.

He could and should have made the Test team but would also have been a Lions debutant, while confirmed captain Maro Itoje tours for the third time and has impressed since being appointed England skipper in time for this year's Six Nations.

The responsibility has forced the lock to lower his penalty count and he has also displayed a talent for building a rapport with referees, something Doris has repeatedly failed to do.

Northampton's Henry Pollock starred in Saturday's win over Leinster and has gone from bolter to potential Test starter, while Scott Cummings is an interesting inclusion.

Itoje is a great lock, but doesn't always call the line-out. With a Scottish forwards coach in John Dalziel, Cummings could get early chances to work his way into the Test picture, with Dalziel likely to lean on him when implementing the set-piece and back him for selection in the opening tour matches.

Finally, while he wasn't named in Thursday's squad, don't be surprised to see Taulupe Faletau down under. 

Injuries continue to limit his playing time but he showed again in the Six Nations that he needs little build-up to be a Test performer.

Lions tours are relentless and Farrell might be keeping Faletau in the freezer to avoid any setbacks and ensure he is ready to take on the Wallabies.


Read more:

Maro Itoje 2-5 to lead British & Irish Lions to success in Australia 


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