SUPER MARO

Farrell ready to crown Itoje new Lions king

- ADAM HATHAWAY

MARO ITOJE is the favourite to be named Lions skipper today when boss Andy Farrell finally shows his hand.

The England captain became odds-on to lead the trip to Australia when it emerged that Ireland’s Caelan Doris was due to have shoulder surgery this week - and faces four months out.

Itoje would be the first Englishman to captain a Lions tour since 2001 when Martin Johnson, who also led the winning team to South Africa in 1997, did the job in Australia.

Bill Beaumont, skipper in 1980 against the Springboks, is the only other Englishman to captain the touring party since World War Two.