England’s Maro Itoje is set to captain the British and Irish Lions in the opening Test against Australia, with the highly-anticipated match bringing both excitement and added scrutiny to the influential lock. The stakes for both Itoje and his team are significant as the Lions aim to get their summer tour off to an emphatic start following an unblemished pre-series run on Australian soil. However, memories of a previous controversy still loom, with many observers reminding the rugby world of an incident involving Itoje during the last Lions tour.
Itoje’s leadership comes during a period of high expectation for the Lions, who, after an unexpected defeat to Argentina in Dublin, bounced back impressively with five straight wins in Australia. All eyes are now on Brisbane’s Lang Park, where the home side, led by experienced coach Joe Schmidt, will look to unsettle the visitors and perhaps test the composure of their new skipper.
The focus on Itoje does not stem solely from his on-field performances. The Saracens and England stalwart found himself under the microscope during the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. At that time, Itoje became the subject of furious debate after a spat with Springboks midfielder Damian de Allende in the crucial second Test—an incident captured on camera and subsequently dissected by fans and pundits alike.
Footage from the match appeared to show Itoje kneeling on De Allende’s upper torso and neck area after a breakdown, sparking outrage among South African supporters and calls for his suspension. The altercation continued as De Allende, lying on the floor, tackled Itoje before standing to push the English lock in the head. The heated moment provoked strong reactions both on and off the field, though the referee took no immediate action against either player.
Social media erupted with commentary from global rugby fans, with many insisting that Itoje’s actions warranted a ban, labelling the incident dangerous and deserving of harsher punishment. “He should be banned after his knee on De Allende’s neck! That’s dangerous,” insisted one fan on X (Twitter). Others described the act as intentional, with several critics astounded that Itoje remained on the field and was not shown a red card.
Despite the uproar, Itoje faced no subsequent ban, and the episode has lingered in the collective memory of many rugby followers. However, in the years since, Itoje has worked to move past the controversy. His performances leading up to this year’s series have drawn praise for consistent quality, discipline, and determination—qualities that likely contributed to his appointment as captain by coach Andy Farrell.
Most recently, Itoje showcased his enduring value with a try in the Lions’ dominant 52-12 warm-up victory over the Queensland Reds. Observers have highlighted his relentless work rate and leadership as key assets for the Lions, particularly given the intensity of touring Australia, where local fans and media often seek to exploit any sign of weakness or ill-discipline.
Itoje partners Leinster’s Joe McCarthy in the second row on Saturday, forming a critical axis in the Lions’ forward pack. He is joined by three England colleagues—Ellis Genge, Tom Curry, and Tommy Freeman—in a side that blends youth, experience and geographical diversity from across the home nations.
For Itoje, the challenge this summer is twofold: to lead a talented squad in pursuit of a historic series win, but also to keep his own emotions and reactions in check, avoiding the controversies that have, albeit briefly, overshadowed his undoubted abilities in the past. British rugby supporters will be hopeful that his role as captain encourages a cooler head and example-setting leadership.
As the Lions prepare to take on the Wallabies in what promises to be a fiercely contested opening Test, attention will be fixed not only on the outcome, but on how Itoje manages both the occasion and his own performance under the spotlight. Whether this marks a new chapter for the lock or tempts a repeat of old debates, only time will tell as the action unfolds in Brisbane.