The China Mail - Itoje to Valetini: five to watch when the Lions face Australia

AFP Sports looks at five players who could prove pivotal to the series:

- Maro Itoje (ENG) -

The Lions rarely win Test series -- in four of seven international campaigns since rugby union turned professional they have returned home a beaten team.

But one constant across the generations is that when they have been triumphant, their captain has led from the front in outstanding fashion.

That task now falls to inspirational Saracens lock Maro Itoje, a key figure in the last two Lions tours.

A three-time World Rugby player-of-the-year nominee, the England captain has been entrusted with steering the tourists to a first series win since a 2013 triumph against Australia.

Should he do so, the 30-year-old will underline his standing as one of the all-time greats.

- Rob Valetini (AUS) -

One of the first names on Australia coach Joe Schmidt's teamsheet, the ACT Brumbies flanker is central to the Wallabies' momentum.

Born in Australia, but with a Fijian heritage, he has taken ownership of the number six jersey with his immense power, strong ball carrying and deft offloading.

Valetini will be a key cog in an industrious back row that could also feature Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.

He was awarded the annual John Eales Medal in 2023 and 2024, an accolade bestowed on the best Australian player each season by his peers.

- Angus Bell (AUS) -

Considered one of the premier all-round loosehead props of his era, Bell's strong scrummaging and outstanding ball carrying will be crucial to Australia's success.

Unusually athletic and agile for a front-row forward, the NSW Waratahs prop is technically proficient and possesses a deeply ingrained winning attitude.

Son of hooker Mark Bell, who played one Test for Australia in 1996, he excelled at the Rugby World Cup in 2023 despite the Wallabies' disappointing campaign under Eddie Jones.

He expected to start each Test if fit, with veteran James Slipper, the most-capped Wallaby of all-time, on the bench as finisher.

- Finn Russell (SCO) -

While the Scotland playmaker has been involved in several memorable wins over England, the fly-half's Test career has featured as many 'what ifs?' as highlights.

But if he can convince Lions coach Andy Farrell to select him as his starting fly-half, Russell could yet have a major international impact.

Renowned for his ability with ball in hand and the capacity to challenge even the meanest defence, his qualities were on full show when he starred in Bath's recent Premiership final win over Leicester at Twickenham.

- Henry Pollock (ENG)

The 20-year-old flanker made the Lions squad even though he has a mere 32 minutes of international experience.

His lone substitute appearance for England, where he scored two tries in a 68-14 Six Nations rout of Wales in March, helped persuade Farrell that he deserved to be on the plane to Australia.

Pollock was also a central figure in Northampton's march to the European Champions Cup final and is primed to continue his rapid rise in Australia.

Z.Huang--ThChM