Sam Warburton recalls the 2017 incident that convinced him Maro Itoje would be ‘the perfect Lions captain’
Maro Itoje celebrates with the fans on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour in New Zealand
Sam Warburton has revealed the 2017 British and Irish Lions moment when he realised that Maro Itoje was the real deal.
The Wales back-rower had been selected as skipper for the trip to New Zealand, a tour that the England lock was also named for as a first-time Lion.
Eight years later, the retired Warburton has now switched into the world of rugby punditry while Itoje was last week selected for this third Lions tour. He will also captain Andy Farrell’s squad in Australia.
Writing in his latest Times column, Warburton has spoken about Itoje’s development over the years from an international rookie with tonnes of potential to an established leader who now feels comfortable in the captaincy role having taken on the responsibility this season with England and Saracens.
“I remember the 2017 tour and one of the first lineout sessions we had,” explained Warburton, referencing his experience of Itoje as a Lions teammate. “Steve Borthwick was running it and we were using mainly England’s calls, but I was so impressed by Maro.
“He was young then, only 22 years old. I was thinking: ‘He screams out as a future England and Lions captain.’ It was just the way he spoke, his presence and his knowledge. I’m surprised it took so long for him to be England captain, and I don’t know the reasons why, but he is certainly making up for lost time now.”
“Maro can tie them all together…”
That lost time included Warburton being impressed by how Itoje handled all the media fuss surrounding last Thursday’s 2025 Lions squad announcement in London. “I was watching Maro from my hotel room early on Thursday morning doing all his photographs with the Lion and much else.
“That can be a bit of a grind but you have to realise how many extracurricular activities come with being Lions captain. You need someone who is comfortable in that environment, dealing with the press, photographers and sponsors.
“You need to be a good player, good leader, good orator, good in the public eye and good with the referee. There are so many strands to the job, but Maro can tie them all together.”
Later in the column, Warburton added: “I was lucky. Australia in 2013 was my first tour but I had the likes of (Brian) O’Driscoll and (Paul) O’Connell, who were experienced Lions and big voices that everyone would listen to, and I also had a big Welsh contingent of players and staff.
“Maro doesn’t really have that, but I don’t think he needs it. It is his third tour. He was player of the series on the previous tour, to South Africa. He has seen it all. He is the perfect Lions captain.”
