The advice Maro Itoje was given from previous Lions captains

Maro Itoje wants his British and Irish Lions squad to be defined by toughness, unity and energy as they target a triumphant tour of Australia.

Itoje’s third Lions expedition is also his first as captain after an impressive Six Nations in charge of England propelled him into one of the most revered posts in the game, previously occupied by greats such as Martin Johnson, Willie John McBride and John Dawes.

For almost a decade the 30-year-old second row has set the tone for England’s physicality up-front, but he knows brute strength alone will not be enough to shape players drawn from four rival countries into a cohesive force.

“I want this Lions squad to be tough. I look at our forwards and I see a group of tough men,” Itoje said.

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“I want us to be tight, that’s a huge thing. I want us to be an incredibly tight group of players that have each other’s back.

“And regardless of who plays and regardless of which combinations, I want us to play with the passion, energy and zeal you’d expect of a Lions squad. I think that’s what the fans would expect of us.

“The Lions works when the players are selfless, so to make sure it’s a successful tour we all have to be selfless and put the Lions at the forefront of everything we do.

“You have a new family when you’re with the Lions. There’s a reason why there are four emblems on the badge – because when you get there, this is your new family.

“You’re not thinking from an English point of view or a Welsh point of view, you’re thinking from a Lions point of view.

“I want the players to enjoy it. This is an incredibly unique experience. Who knows if the guys on this tour will go again?

“There’s no way of knowing what will happen in four years’ time. So you have to enjoy it.

“You enjoy it by working hard, giving all of yourself to it and being selfless. If we do those things, with the talent we have, it will be a great tour.”

The night before he was unveiled as Andy Farrell’s first among equals in early May, Itoje completed the customary tradition of having dinner with his predecessors as Lions captains, with Johnson, Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones among those in attendance.

“To be able to spend time with some true giants of our game was amazing,” the Saracens second row said.

“The overarching message from the captains was: one, enjoy it and two, trust yourself. Lean on the quality people you will have around you.

“I am very fortunate that when you look at the squad there is a whole load of talent, a whole load of quality, a whole load of leadership. Between all of us we can do something special.”