Wales legend shares true thoughts on Maro Itoje being named Lions captain

Former Lions star and Wales legend Jamie Roberts to be chosen as the leader of the new 38-man Lions squad, despite his inexperience. Itoje has been a triumphant force for both club and country in recent years, becoming a household name after being named England captain before this year's Six Nations in February.

of his side will mark the third time this year he has been given the nod - becoming captain of Saracens side just last year too. But despite only having around a year of captaincy experience under his belt Roberts believes as they try to take a series win for the first time since 2013.

The titan of Welsh rugby appeared as Lions title sponsor, Howden, revealed a giant striking painted Lion mural, with the names of the newly announced squad on the side of a London building.

Howden's mural which was being completed live as the squad was read-out appears just off Aldgate East underground station in East London and will remain up the next 10 days until May 18.

Speaking to Express Sport, the former Welsh international said: "Look he's only been captain for a year but remember he's been a world class player for nearly a decade so that inexperience as captain doesn't bother me one bit and neither should it bother any player on that tour.

"This guy's a colossus of a rugby player. You look at his performance levels this year, the standings of which this guy is operating at the moment, and he is supreme.

"He's started the last six Lions test matches, so he's an obvious choice as captain for me. You know this is a guy who's going to lead by example, and I think the players around him will see a rugby player who has been operating at another level for nearly a decade.

"A supreme, supreme rugby player, and I have no doubt he'll do a fantastic job as a captain and leader."

During Robert's time on the tour, he worked under an even more inexperienced captain under Sam Warburton, who was just 24 when Warren Gatland named him in a decision that shocked many.

But Warburton proved himself to be the right man for the job as the Welsh flanker led the side to the Lions' last win in Australia in 2013 - their only series win this century.

over his career is hoped to be the spear-head of some solid Lion's performances with the now 30-year-old combining both his experience and leadership to put together a solid Six Nations run for England earlier in the year.

The move proved former boss Eddie Jones wrong, who consistently favoured other teammates after concerns over his leadership style, something that combines a calmness from his personality while demanding his level of standard from his teammates.

Itoje will have a tough task though, with Lion's squad's often struggling to gel enough to put together a solid enough string of performances to overcome such tough opposition - something the Welshman believes can be hard to balance with fan expectation.

Roberts added: "I think for fans, it's coming to realise how hard it is to win a Lions test series. They've only ever won five in over 125 years. So you know for players and fans to try and appreciate how difficult it is to win a test series.

"You've got individual goals within the team goals. You're going through the elation of selection to the pain of injury to the fear of them missing out in big games to watching your teammates win, to watching them lose. It brings out every emotion in you at the highest level of the sport and that's why it's so special."

The Lions first test will come against Argentina in Dublin on June 20, before heading to Australia for the big three-test series against the Wallabies that starts on July 19.

HOWDEN CELEBRATES THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT WITH STRIKING MURAL Lions legends Brian O'Driscoll, Gavin Hastings and Jamie Roberts join unveiling of hand- painted tribute to the newly named 2025 squad