The Lions head Down Under! Maro Itoje leads his squad to Australia… flying in the world’s most luxurious suites

• The Lions squad flew out of Dublin Airport with sponsors Qatar Airways
• They will stop off in Doha en route to their first Tour match in Perth, Australia
• Andy Farrell’s side lost their opening match against Argentina on Friday

By DAVID KENT

The Lions journey to Australia has finally begun after the players took off from Dublin on Saturday morning.

Just hours after Friday night’s defeat by Argentina, the squad bedded down in their luxury Qsuites on a Qatar Airways flight to Perth. 

The squad will stop off in Doha, before continuing their journey to the Southern Hemisphere for their opening tour match against Western Force.

After a game of cards at the airport, Maro Itoje led his team on board, suited and booted, promising improvements as he plots to lead the side to victory Down Under.

He was followed on board by back-row Henry Pollock who, as the youngest player in the squad, is responsible for carrying BIL the lion teddy throughout the tour. 

Andy Farrell is likely to rotate his side for the opening match at the Optus Stadium, where 40,000 tickets have already been sold for the curtain raiser.

Lions captain Maro Itoje alongside his team-mates on the runway at Dublin Airport

Skipper Itoje settles in for the long-haul flight from Dublin to Perth on a Qatar Airways flight

Title-winning players from Leinster and Bath are likely to feature, with the likes of No 10 Finn Russell all due game time.  

‘We land Sunday night in Perth, I imagine on Monday morning we’ll have something getting us up and going again,’ said Russell. 

‘So I think getting a schedule or a routine as soon as you get there is pretty important. 

‘But the guys who will be looking after that and trying to give us a plan for when we sleep on the flight, they’ve had it planned out for longer than we think.’

Henry Pollock will take part in his first Lions tour after his breakthrough season

Northampton star Pollock posted a photograph of BIL the Lion teddy on his Instagram page 

Qatar Airways will sponsor the series after recently being named the world’s best airline

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The Lions head Down Under! Maro Itoje leads his squad to Australia… flying in the world’s most luxurious suites

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