Maro Itoje makes four demands of British & Irish Lions team-mates before Argentina clash

Maro Itoje wants the British and Irish Lions to be tough, tight, passionate and selfless on their tour of Australia. Taking the reins as captain for his third Lions tour after a standout Six Nations performance with England, Itoje steps into a role once held by legends like Martin Johnson, Willie John McBride, and John Dawes.

The 30-year-old lock, known for epitomising England's physical presence in the pack, recognises that more than sheer power is needed to unite players from four competing nations into a single formidable unit. Itoje expressed his vision for the squad: "I want this Lions squad to be tough. I look at our forwards and I see a group of tough men.

"I want us to be tight, that's a huge thing. I want us to be an incredibly tight group of players that have each other's back.

"And regardless of who plays and regardless of which combinations, I want us to play with the passion, energy and zeal you'd expect of a Lions squad. I think that's what the fans would expect of us.

"The Lions works when the players are selfless, so to make sure it's a successful tour we all have to be selfless and put the Lions at the forefront of everything we do.

"You have a new family when you're with the Lions. There's a reason why there are four emblems on the badge – because when you get there, this is your new family.

"You're not thinking from an English point of view or a Welsh point of view, you're thinking from a Lions point of view.

"I want the players to enjoy it. This is an incredibly unique experience. Who knows if the guys on this tour will go again? There's no way of knowing what will happen in four years' time. So you have to enjoy it.

"You enjoy it by working hard, giving all of yourself to it and being selfless. If we do those things, with the talent we have, it will be a great tour."

The night before he was unveiled as Andy Farrell's skipper in May, Itoje enjoyed the customary tradition of having dinner with previous Lions captains like Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones.

"To be able to spend time with some true giants of our game was amazing," he said. "The overarching message from the captains was: one, enjoy it and two, trust yourself. Lean on the quality people you will have around you.

"I am very fortunate that when you look at the squad there is a whole load of talent, a whole load of quality, a whole load of leadership. Between all of us we can do something special."