Maro Itoje’s CV doesn’t have many gaps. Multiple Six Nations, Premiership and Champions Cup titles. Two World Player of the Year nominations. One Rugby World Cup final appearance. And not a lot of room for improvement.
When the British and Irish Lions squad is announced, in early May as things stands, an injury-free Itoje is a certainty.
But, despite all his success, does he have the credentials to captain the tour of South Africa?
It would buck the trend.
Sam Warburton had led Wales to a World Cup semi-final and a Six Nations Grand Slam before taking the Lions role.
Warburton’s predecessor Paul O’Connell had skippered Ireland and steered Munster to European glory.
Before the 2005 tour, Brian O’Driscoll had captained both province and country.
Itoje has done neither.
As a 20-year-old, he led a second-string Saracens to an LV Cup success. But Brad Barritt has been his…
— to www.bbc.co.uk
