Maro

Called up to replace Elliot Daly last week, Farrell took part in his first full training session with the Lions on Tuesday.

Itjoe – who took over from Jamie George as England captain before this year’s Six Nations – said he is excited about what the now four-time Lions tourist can bring to the table in Australia.

It is highly likely that Farrell, who can provide cover at fly-half and inside centre, will play against the AU-NZ Invitational side in Adelaide on Saturday.

It will be 10 weeks since he last played a game, having suffered a concussion with his former club Racing.

“It’s pretty exciting to see what he could potentially bring to us,” said Itoje.

“Owen and I actually went to the same school. When I was in Year 7, he was in Year 10 – so I’ve known Owen since I was literally 11.

“But he didn’t start talking to me until maybe I was 12 or so. The Year 10s didn’t really speak to the Year 7s. When I got to Year 8, he started to talk.

“I have a very good relationship with him. And he just wants the squad to do well. He’s obviously back at Saracens now, which is great.”

Itoje, who returns to the lions side for Wednesday’s game against the Brumbies, was also asked if he is bemused at the way people react to Farrell.

“It’s quite remarkable, really,” he said. “He does provoke pretty strong reactions, either way. It’s pretty crazy.

“I’m sure he’s thinking, like, ‘what did I do?’ But no, he’s fine, and I think everything will be cool.”

Maro Itoje is set to be confirmed on Thursday as the British and Irish Lions captain for the tour of Australia.

The 30-year-old will become the first Englishman since Martin Johnson in 2001 to be named Lions captain, and will lead a party of around 40 players.

Itoje, who will tour with the Lions for the third time, took over the England captaincy before the 2025 Six Nations, leading them to second after four straight wins.

With Ireland skipper Caelan Doris having shoulder surgery this week, Itoje has emerged as the outstanding candidate for the role.

He will be confirmed formally in front of a live audience at the O2 Arena on Thursday afternoon, along with the rest of the Lions squad.

Itoje’s credentials have been endorsed by a string of former Lions, including three-times tourist Matt Dawson.

“Maro has blossomed beautifully this season for England,” Dawson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He has gone from being a player who was a certainty to be in the team, but was a bit short of the form of his early 20s and a little bit too ill-disciplined, to being right in the groove.

“The captaincy has given him a new lease of life and he is ready to step into the role for the Lions.”

Itoje will be the only member of Andy Farrell’s touring party present at the announcement, with the rest of the squad finding out at the time.

Farrell’s team face Argentina in Dublin on Friday, 20 June, before their first game on Australian soil against Western Force on Saturday, 28 June.

The three-Test series against the Wallabies starts on 19 July in Brisbane.