British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje urged his team to "set the standard" in Friday's warm-up game against Argentina ahead of their tour of Australia. 

Itoje will lead the Lions out for the first time against Los Pumas in Dublin, while as many as 14 players could make their debut on Irish soil. 

Fin and Marcus Smith and Itoje are three of nine English players named in the starting XV, with three Irish, two Scottish and one Welshman - Jac Morgan - included.

While still a month from the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on 19 July, Itoje wants preparations to start immediately on the front foot this week. 

"I'm incredibly excited. It's a tremendous opportunity for myself and the whole team," Itoje told a news conference.

"This is our first opportunity to set the standard we want to [have]... Set the kind of team we want to be and give our first account of ourselves.

"We've had just under two weeks of great prep, and we're excited to get going."

Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! #Lions2025

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025

Despite some players recovering from minor injuries or being rested after playing in the URC and Premiership finals last week, Farrell has named a star-studded lineup. 

Marcus Smith will feature at fullback while Henry Pollock, the squad's youngest squad member, has been named on the bench for the Lions. 

"I did an exercise a couple of weeks ago, and I've done it about five times since of what you think that your Test side could be, and you actually can't even go there, because there's such good competition," Farrell said.

"That's how it should be. The exciting thing about Friday night is these guys get to show their teammates that are sat in the stands what they're all about.

"Ultimately, what happens on these tours, these guys all they're trying to do is gain respect off one another."