Maro Itoje front-runner for Lions captaincy with squad named on Thursday

Simplifying the decision to place the 2017 and 2021 Lions tourist in charge is the shoulder injury sustained by his main rival for the post Caelan Doris.

Maro Itoje is expected to be named British and Irish Lions captain (Joe Giddnes/PA)

Maro Itoje is expected to be named the first English captain of the British and Irish Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001 when the squad for this summer’s tour to Australia is announced on Thursday.

Itoje became the frontrunner for the role after leading England with distinction during the Six Nations, guiding the team to a runners-up finish in his maiden spell as starting skipper.