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Brian O'Driscoll and Martin Johnson tip Owen Farrell for Lions captaincy contention

CARDIFF, WALES - FEBRUARY 11:  Owen Farrell of England celebrates their victory during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and England at the Principal
Image: Owen Farrell has impressed in England's Six Nation campaign

Two former British and Irish Lions captains believe Owen Farrell should be considered as a candidate to lead this summer's tour to New Zealand.

Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll and former England captain and head coach Martin Johnson see world player of the year nominee Farrell, who has developed into a world-class playmaker under Eddie Jones, as a "shoe-in" for the team.

But the pair, who between them have been on seven Lions tours, agree that Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones emerges as the outstanding choice for the role.

Brian O'Driscoll (R) and Paul O'Connell of the Lions raise Tom Richards Cup after their 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies
Image: Brian O'Driscoll (centre) was part of the successful Lions squad of 2013

O'Driscoll said: "Owen Farrell plays at 10 or 12 and for me he's a shoe-in for the Test team. I think he has to come into the conversation over the captaincy.

"His temperament has improved incredibly. Gone is the narky Farrell. He looks calm and controlled and is playing brilliantly at the moment.

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"You don't want to be picking a tour and a Test captain, ideally you want to be picking the same and I still think Alun Wyn is a great pick for that.

"I'd still have him in my Test team and he's been playing well. He gets through an insane amount of work.

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Warren Gatland says he'll pick his Lions squad first, then decide who'll be captain, but says they won't necessarily be a current international skipper.

"He has that important confrontational style and there's a lot of respect for him in New Zealand, so for me he's still very much the front runner."

Johnson said: "Owen has obviously been captain of England at the end of games - he will go on tour and he will be an important part of the leadership group.

Martin Johnson, the British Lions captain, holds aloft the trophy after the third test match against South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Martin Johnson captained the British and Irish Lions to glory as a player in 1997

"Maybe just let him play, but he could do the captaincy - there's no reason why not. A lot can change and he has played very well, but Alun Wyn Jones maybe has his nose in front.

"I don't know him but what he says is very sensible. You nod your head when you read what he says and 'he is right there' he seems like a sensible guy."

All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3 2017.

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