Lions skipper Itoje has spoken about his bond with team-mate Jac Morgan
Maro Itoje welcomed Jac Morgan to the Lions camp and the two have struck up a friendship (Image: British Lions )
Lions captain Maro Itoje has once again sung the praises of Wales skipper Jac Morgan. Last week, the England second-row called Morgan a “delightful guy”.
The lone Welshman left in the squad is held in high regard by his team-mates – with captain Itoje mentioning Morgan as he spoke about the joy of meeting new people in the class of ‘25.
“Yeah, I have built relationships with people I really did not know well,” said Itoje. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“Someone like ‘Showbiz’, Jamie Osborne, his nickname is Showbiz.
“I never thought I would have a relationship with him.
“I wouldn’t mind the nickname ‘Showbiz’ if you are going to start it but I am happy with Pearl to be honest.
“I know now whenever I play against him in the future I can call him ‘Showbiz’ and he will have that little smirk on his face. Relationships like that.
“Getting to know people from different nations like Jac. I have a lot of admiration for Jac Morgan, who is a very, very talented player.
“I’ve respected him from afar while he has been doing his thing for Wales and being on his side and being alongside him while he makes such positive contributions for the team has been amazing.
“I can go through the team. Finlay Bealham is another one that I never thought we would have a good relationship, but he’s absolutely hilarious, funny, he’s a very endearing person. I can go through so many others.”
Speaking specifically about the Wales captain, Itoje admitted that he only knew him before the tour “in passing”.
“Obviously I played against him a few times,” he added.
“I’ve had a quick conversation post-game, but not to any level of real detail.”
Meanwhile, Lions assistant coach Andrew Goodman says the squad are still feeling the positive impact that Morgan’s fellow Welshman Tomos Williams had on the group.
Williams’ tour was ended prematurely, picking up a hamstring injury in the opening game Down Under. However, according to Goodman, his influence hasn’t been forgotten.
“Go back to the start of the tour, people who left: Tomos, Elliot Daly,” said Goodman when asked to list the squad’s unsung heroes.
“The impact they had was huge, is still a lasting impact now, we still reference things they would have said or done for the group.
“Go back to the start of the tour, people who left: Tomos, Elliot Daly,” said Goodman when asked to list the squad’s unsung heroes.
“The impact they had was huge, is still a lasting impact now, we still reference things they would have said or done for the group.
“A guy like Fin Smith who hasn’t been involved in the Test matches: he gets that non-23 group to compete really hard in training and to push the team who are starting.
“He pushes that group and makes sure they are on. I could go on but those are a few guys who stood out.”