Itoje 'to skipper tourists' after Doris has op

MARO ITOJE may have been handed the Lions captaincy on a platter as Ireland skipper Caelan Doris needs surgery on his shoulder this week.

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

The pair were duelling to be skipper of the tour to Australia with head coach Andy Farrell (below) due to announce his leader and the rest of the squad on Thursday at London's 02 Arena.

If Itoje is given the captaincy he would become the first Englishman since Martin Johnson, in 2001 - also in Australia to lead a Lions party and Doris' surgery.

Ireland No.8 Doris was injured in Leinster's 37-34 defeat to Northampton on Saturday that shattered their European dreams.