Marcus Smith has received his first opportunity to shine as a fullback for the British & Irish Lions, as he has been chosen to start against Argentina on Friday.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Henry Pollock will be starting on the bench. Andy Farrell revealed his first squad as Lions coach on Wednesday in preparation for the warm-up match against Los Pumas in Dublin.
Recently, Smith has been moved between fly-half and fullback for England, and Farrell pointed out that his ability to play multiple positions was a major reason for his selection for the tour of Australia.
Back-row player Pollock drew attention when the squad was announced in May after making his England debut while having an impressive season with Northampton.
A strong group of English players has been picked for the game against Argentina, including Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Fin Smith starting at fly-half.
Ireland’s Bundee Aki will play in the midfield with Scotland’s captain Sione Tuipulotu, who has recovered from a pectoral injury that kept him out of the Six Nations.
Tommy Freeman will start on the right wing, while Duhan van der Merwe takes the left side.
In the forwards, Ellis Genge has earned the chance to start as loose-head prop, with Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker and Finlay Bealham from Ireland completing the front row. Maro Itoje, the Lions captain, leads the team for the first time and pairs with Tadgh Beirne at lock. The back row consists of Tom Curry as blindside flanker, Wales’ captain Jac Morgan at openside, and Ben Earl in the No. 8 position.
Farrell can rely on a strong bench that features Ronan Kelleher, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Pollock, Tomos Williams, Elliot Daly, and Mack Hansen.
“Congratulations to Maro Itoje for leading out the Lions for the first time—it’s a really special moment that very few players get to experience,” Farrell stated.
“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.
“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide – so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”
