Maro Itoje & Tadhg Beirne: The ‘well-spoken leader’ and ‘skilful ball player’ – a British and Irish Lions lock partnership to fear? | Rugby Union News

The Maro Itoje in England and the Tadhg Beirne in Ireland were selected as British and Irish departure partnership Lions for the clash of the opening tour of Friday against Argentina, live Sky SportsWith the two players respected in the world that were already established together.

The two spoke to the media on Wednesday a few hours after the Maiden Lions of Andy Farrell began the selection while the head coach was confirmed – Itoje Captain Lions for the first time when the Pumas will visit the Aviva stadium in Dublin.

Competition will be fierce through the team, but Itoje and Beirne are a potential second row twinning if filled with quality that they could prove the starting duo for the Lions VS VS opening test on Saturday, July 19.

The tastes of James Ryan, Joe McCarthy and Scott Cummings will have a say in this area, of course, but in terms of pure rugby talent, Itoje and Beirne seem to check most of the boxes.

Beirne – Included in the World Rugby World Team of the Year for 2022 and 2024 – is a unicorn of breakdown with regard to turnover, and allies this capacity to a physical advantage and to solidity of set. ITOJE – Included in the world’s dream world team of the year for 2021 and a phenomenon of Lions in 2017 – is a sensational athlete, a donor and a ruck threat. The two also recognize the qualities.

“I really liked spending time with Tadhg,” said Itoje, sitting alongside Farrell at the Aviva stadium. “He’s a fantastic player, it’s clear for everyone.

“His ball skills – the way he moves the ball and control – and he has this level of physicity to his game which is really impressive.

“Obviously, we spent a little time together during the last tour (2021) and built a good relationship and it was incredible that we were able to continue this tour.

“Probably one of the most impressive things I saw of Tadhg was his leadership and how he is around the group. How he drives the boys in a very calm but mature way.”

Later Wednesday, Beirne spoke with the media and revealed a distinct brand of Itoje leadership in professional sport.

“”[His captaincy has been] Brilier, he managed the team very well, “said Beirne.

“One thing that was very impressed to me is that he speaks incredibly well, and he does not cursed that I have noticed. Coming from someone who, when you are a little amplified, you tend to curse a lot.

“He is very well spoken and he has driven the team very well so far.

“It was great. I was with him with him the first two nights and we were obviously both on the last tour, so we are very familiar at this stage.

“We played a bit against each other [over the years]. I played most of the last tour at six years old, so I liked locking the second row with him so far and I can’t wait for Friday.

“It is [the partnership] I went pretty well in training, we appreciated it. We have bounced ideas for each other for alignment and all that, and so far, the relationship has been really good.

“I am super excited. Power in Ireland is extra-special for us, the Irish players. It was great last week and a half, really pleasant, so I can’t wait to get stuck.”

The environment of the Lions is another for the captain, admits Itoje, compared to the Saracens or in England due to the number of managers and experience present within the team.

In his response, however, is perhaps an index as to the style of captain of the lions – there is a moving quality in the sections of his words.

“Each environment, each team presents its different opportunities and challenges. Here, we are very lucky that we are surrounded by such quality, both in terms of talent but also in terms of the way people think.

“As you can imagine, you must be talented to be here, but also to be here, players tend to have a strong state of mind, they tend to have robustness about them.

“Obviously, all these things are fantastic and you don’t have to say to the players to prepare yourself, you don’t have to tell players to move because all these instinctive things are simply natural.

“It was incredible [to become a Lion]. It was like a dream realized. I finally got my number. I was finally part of this exclusive and elite club. It was just a great feeling. But it was also a great opportunity and responsibility.

“The jersey has weight. It has a meaning. It makes sense.

“As players, it is our responsibility to move it forward. It is our responsibility to respect the badge.”

A Lions Lock partnership in Itoje and Beirne? An attractive perspective for the supporters of the Lions, without a doubt.

British and Irish team of Lions to face Argentina in Dublin Friday – live on Sky Sports

British and Irish lions: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan Van der Merwe, 10 end Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Ben Earl.

Substitutes: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Mack Hansen.

Visit of the British and Irish Lions in Australia on Sky Sports

Sky Sports will exclusively show the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 in Australia, with the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches to show exclusively live.