The picks are in. Andy Farrell has revealed the 38-man British and Irish Lions squad that will tour Australia this summer looking to secure a series success for the first time in 12 years. England lock Maro Itoje leads a relatively youthful squad containing plenty of first-time tourists, while those who return after the trip to South Africa will get the chance to soak up a proper Lions experience after the absence of fans was keenly felt four years ago. Farrell’s selection is understandably Irish-heavy, with 15 of those included highly familiar with the head coach, while England also provide strong representation with 13 members after a strong end to the Six Nations. Eight Scots and two Welshmen make up the rest of the travelling party that will take on the Wallabies in a three-Test series. But who are the 38 players selected, and why have they earned inclusion? Here’s The Independent’s guide to each and every tourist. Ellis Genge, England Club: Bristol Bears International caps: 71 The brash and sometimes turbulent Bristolian of Genge’s early years has been replaced by a much calmer figure of late, with the 30-year-old hugely respected across the game. Still carries with a certain snarl and should help bond the group together. Pierre Schoeman, Scotland Club: Edinburgh International caps: 40 The Edinburgh prop has been a pillar of consistency since making his Scotland debut in 2021. A hard-working ball carrier, Schoeman is also a fine operator over the ball. Andrew Porter, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 75 Forced out of the 2021 tour due to a toe injury, Porter gets a second crack. Then a tighthead, he has since become a loosehead of real quality. Not to every referee’s liking but can be a real set-piece force, and regularly shows serious stamina to go deeper than 70 minutes. Dan Sheehan, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 32 Dynamite athlete Sheehan epitomises the modern hooker, as comfortable striding in open pasture as he is forcing his way through tight alleyways. A certain starter, one would think, after making a rapid recovery from a serious knee injury to press his irresistible case again in the Six Nations. Luke Cowan-Dickie, England Club: Sale Sharks International caps: 52 (3 Lions Tests) Gets the nod ahead of England colleague Jamie George. Abrasive and a real scavenging threat at his best, has recaptured his best form after overcoming a neural problem in his neck that scuppered a move to France. Ronan Kelleher, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 38 A favourite of Farrell’s for Ireland, the hooker’s all-round skillset perhaps always made him a likely inclusion. Reliable and rugged, he was called up late as injury cover four years ago but gets a proper go this time around. Will Stuart, England International caps: 50 By his own admission, Stuart did not take his early chances in an England shirt but has come of age since November. Marked his 50th cap with a try against Wales at the end of the Six Nations to cap a brilliant campaign. Tadhg Furlong, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 84 (6 Lions Tests) Injuries have bedevilled the tighthead of late but when fit there are few better. Anchors strongly at scrum-time and often shows deceptive footwork in the loose. By now a Lions stalwart as he makes a third tour. Zander Fagerson, Scotland Club: Glasgow Warriors International caps: 73 Another two-time tourist, Fagerson is one of a Glasgow quartet, with the current United Rugby Championship holders well represented. Solid scrummager and very useful around the park. Maro Itoje, England – CAPTAIN Club: Saracens International caps: 99 (6 Lions Tests) Touring for a third time at the age of 30, Itoje takes on captaincy duties as the standout candidate by a distance. So good and so consistent, he somehow seems to lift his level for the Lions, being named player of the series in 2021 having been not far short in New Zealand four years earlier. Tadhg Beirne, Ireland Club: Munster International caps: 63 (2 Lions Tests) Omni-talented and at times omnipresent. There’s not a lot that Beirne can’t do either at lock or on the blindside, with his breakdown prowess and open-field stylings blending well with the requisite engine room shovelling. Ollie Chessum, England Club: Leicester Tigers International caps: 27 Beneath a shock of red hair, the tireless Chessum has emerged as one of England’s most consistent performers. Rangy and an excellent lineout jumper, he has combined nicely with Itoje and is seen by many as a likely future leader of his country. Joe McCarthy, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 19 A Dublin brawler, McCarthy has added an extra physical edge to the Irish tight five in the last 18 months. Muscular and mean at his best, though with the deft hands that the Ireland system demands, too. Scott Cummings, Scotland Club: Glasgow Warriors International caps: 42 As underrated an international lock as they come, Scotland sorely missed the graft and grunt Cummings offers in the Six Nations. May not make the Test squad but will not let anyone down. James Ryan, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 72 A tackling machine, Ryan offers second-row leadership and another lineout schemer. His form has fluctuated over the last few years but possesses serious experience despite his relative youth. Tom Curry, England Club: Sale Sharks International caps: 65 (3 Lions Tests) The better-known half of rugby’s foremost twins, brother Ben is unlucky to miss out. There was no question about Tom’s place, though, eight years on from his emergence on England’s tour of Argentina. Back to his best after real injury strife, Curry no longer trains much as he manages a chronic hip condition but is a true Test-match animal. Ben Earl, England Club: Saracens International caps: 41 Reinvented as a No 8 by England, Earl also offers an openside option. His capacity to cover centre is testament to his athleticism and intelligence and will do damage at the breakdown. A handy golfer and fine cricketer in his schoolboy days. Jac Morgan, Wales Club: Ospreys International caps: 24 One of few to emerge in credit from the permacrisis that has been Welsh rugby over the last few years, Morgan has carried the side on his back repeatedly in that time. An all-action seven of the modern mould, the Osprey packs a punch in a compact frame. Jack Conan, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 54 (3 Lions Tests) Conan could yet end up as a six-time Test Lion without every really being Ireland’s first-choice No 8. His decisive impacts off the bench in the Six Nations showed how his physicality can change a game – probably would have earned selection even without injury Caelan Doris, but his teammate’s misfortune enhances his chance of involvement. Josh van der Flier, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 73 Unique among the squad as a former World Rugby Player of the Year, Van der Flier’s superlative 2022 saw a top performer hit new heights after learning to trust his instincts and up his involvements. An intelligent, incisive ball-carrier alongside the ruck snuffling that goes with his territory. Henry Pollock, England Club: Northampton Saints International caps: 1 The youngest member of the touring party, Pollock has made a rapid rise into Lions contention. Confident, cocksure, and a proper pest on the pitch, the 20-year-old is in on merit having been arguably the form back row in England since making his international debut at the end of the Six Nations. His highlights reel is already obscene; a first senior tour will provide challenges but Pollock has risen to everything thrown at him so far. Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 43 By common consent now the best scrum half in the world not named Antoine Dupont, Gibson-Park is the whirring cog that makes the Irish machine tick. His lightning quick release from the base could be key to getting the Lions attack purring. Alex Mitchell, England Club: Northampton Saints International caps: 23 Emerged as England’s first-choice scrum half at the 2023 World Cup having initially been left out of the squad, and hasn’t really looked back since. Sharp around the fringes and now possessing strength as a manipulator with the boot. Tomos Williams, Wales Club: Gloucester International caps: 60 In superb form for Gloucester, the zippy Williams is a neat fit as an understudy to Gibson-Park. A creative scrum half, he hasn’t necessarily been able to show his best for Wales over the last two years but has still sparked at times. Finn Russell, Scotland International caps: 86 (1 Lions Test) Capable of magic touches, Russell’s ability to control a game can sometimes be underplayed given how good he is as a creator. Part of the “Geography Six” in 2017 and on the fringes four years later, seems set to be a more central figure this time around. Fin Smith, England Club: Northampton Saints International caps: 11 Mature beyond his years, Smith has the calm and confidence to thrive on this stage – as he has done so far for Northampton and England. A great game manager and fierce defender. Marcus Smith, England Club: Harlequins International caps: 44 It hasn’t been the easiest year for Smith, dislodged from the England fly half shirt by his namesake in to a full-back role he hasn’t always loved, but that utility has counted firmly in his favour. Such a gifted player with ball in hand, he is well-liked by Lions assistant Johnny Sexton and got a taste of the tour last time around. Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland Club: Glasgow Warriors International caps: 30 Qualifying thanks to a grandmother from Greenock, the Scottish centre returns to the land of his birth as an all-round figure of excellent in midfield. Has developed into a fine leader, too, and was sorely missed in the Six Nations due to injury. Bundee Aki, Ireland Club: Connacht International caps: 66 (1 Lions Test) A returning tourist, Aki has arguably got even better with age. A frightening carrier but much, much more besides. Started the final Test in South Africa. Huw Jones, Scotland Club: Glasgow Warriors International caps: 58 A livewire attacking threat, Jones can be devastating on the outside arc. Has struck up a brilliant partnership with Tuipulotu for club and country. Garry Ringrose, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 67 Very unfortunate to miss out in 2021, Ringrose gets a long-awaited Lions call. A defensive shooter in the Irish and Leinster system, and a clever distributor in attack, he can cover the wing in a pinch though will have his sights set on snaring the 13 shirt. Hugo Keenan, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 46 Rock solid, full-backs don’t come much more complete than Keenan. An intuitive player capable as a ball-handler or marshalling the skies, and a strong contender to wear 15 come the opening Test in Brisbane. James Lowe, Ireland Club: Leinster International caps: 40 Born in New Zealand, wing Lowe has taken his game to another level since arriving in Ireland. Quick, powerful and with a fierce fend, also possesses a real point of difference with his booming left boot. Tommy Freeman, England Club: Northampton Saints International caps: 21 Vastly improved over the last 12 months, Freeman is the full package on the wing with prototypical size and elite aerial skill. Also comfortable at outside centre. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland Club: Toulouse International caps: 55 The only France-based player selected, Kinghorn will arrive late in Australia if Toulouse go deep in the Top 14 play-offs yet is included anyway to reflect his place in the pecking order. Though provides an option at 10 or on the wing, he has seized his opportunity at full-back since the retirement of Stuart Hogg where his height and striding speed pose problems in the air and on turf. Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland Club: Edinburgh International caps: 48 (3 Lions Tests) Well-liked by Warren Gatland, one wondered if Van der Merwe would be to Farrell’s taste but it would have been tricky to leave an irresistible physical force out. Often saves his best for England, the 29-year-old came to Scotland addled with a hip problem and with his professional dreams in South Africa in tatters, but has flourished to become the nation’s leading try-scorer – a record that the very unlucky Darcy Graham may take this summer if he tours with Scotland. Elliot Daly, England Club: Saracens International caps: 77 (5 Lions Tests) Few would have pegged Daly for a third tour before the Six Nations, and the centre-cum-full-back-cum-wing has timed his run superbly. The searing pace of his youth may have faded a touch but he is highly intelligent, a kick-chaser of real repute and offers a long-range, left-footed place-kicking and punting option. Mack Hansen, Ireland Club: Connacht International caps: 28 A quirky character on and off the pitch, Hansen has been included despite a season-ending ankle injury. The 27-year-old has been a real find for Ireland since switching Canberra for Connacht, broadening their attack as a roaming receiver. Having had Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on his thigh after the grand slam in 2023, perhaps it is no surprise to find him inked in to this squad.