Paul O'Connell has been named as captain of the British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.
Irish lock confirmed as captain for South Africa tour
Paul O'Connell has been named as captain of the British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa this summer.
The 29-year-old edged Ireland's Grand Slam-winning captain Brian O'Driscoll in the race for the most prestigious job in British and Irish rugby.
O'Driscoll has also been named in the 37-man touring party which leaves for South Africa next month.
But there is no place in the party for three RBS 6 Nations captains - Ryan Jones, Steve Borthwick and Mike Blair.
Other absentees include Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani, Gavin Henson and James Hook, plus the shock omission of England flanker Tom Croft. There are surprise call-ups for the likes of Munster pair Keith Earls and Alan Quinlan.
Ireland will provide 14 players, Wales 13, England eight and Scotland just two - prop Euan Murray and lock Nathan Hines.
Among the other players who have emerged into potential stardom are Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny, England flyer Ugo Monye and Wales number eight Andy Powell.
Powell has arguably beaten his national captain Jones for a back-row slot, with Jones - Wales' Grand Slam skipper last year - going from hero to zero in just 12 months.
Earls, meanwhile, has provided a dynamic presence for Heineken Cup holders Munster this season, while Quinlan is a renowned hard-man who will relish the challenge of a South African trip.
Joining Jones among the casualties are England full-back Delon Armitage, who impressed many through his outstanding displays this season.
Armitage's omission appears to buck the trend of Lions head coach Ian McGeechan selecting on form, especially as Wales wing Shane Williams has made the cut after an average campaign.
And there are also call-ups for four members of McGeechan's Wasps - centre Riki Flutey, prop Phil Vickery, lock Simon Shaw and back-row forward Joe Worsley.
McGeechan said: "To get where we are today and the announcement of the 37 players who will travel to South Africa has taken a lot of thought and work.
"Over the last six months the Lions coaching staff has attended countless matches, analysed endless games and taken the counsel of national and domestic coaches. Today marks the end of a comprehensive and detailed selection process.
"Naturally there were some tough decisions and there will be disappointed players but I am confident that this is a very strong and capable squad.
"Its composition reflects the form shown in the Six Nations and domestic rugby and has a balanced blend of experience and youth."
Lions manager Gerald Davies, who made the announcement, said: "Being selected as a Lion is a huge honour for a player and marks a major highlight in his career. I congratulate each of the players on their selection and look forward to a successful and rewarding tour to South Africa.
"We now have a short space of time in which to prepare for the tour and build a team that is capable of taking on the world champions.
"As ambassadors for British and Irish rugby I know the players will be dedicated to the adventure and task ahead. They might hail from four different countries but on tour they will play for the one jersey, one philosophy, one style and have one ambition, to return home as winners."
Munster second row O'Connell is the 10th Irishman to lead a Lions tour and is among a record 14 Irishmen selected for the trip, which starts against a High Veld XV in Rustenburg on May 30.
The eight-strong Munster contingent also equals the Lions record for one team, jointly held by Newport (1910) and Leicester (2005), when then Lions boss Sir Clive Woodward took an inflated squad.
Four players, meanwhile, make their third Lions trip - O'Driscoll, fly-half Ronan O'Gara, lock Simon Shaw and flanker Martyn Williams.
Shaw is the only survivor from the Lions' 1997 South African expedition, and will be the oldest tourists at 35.
Cardiff Blues speedster Halfpenny, in contrast, is the youngest Lion of 2009 at 20.
Lions' 37-man squad
Backs: Lee Byrne, Rob Kearney, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Ugo Monye, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll, Keith Earls, Riki Flutey, Ronan O'Gara, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis, Tomas O'Leary.
Forwards: Jamie Heaslip, Andy Powell, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris, Alan Quinlan, Joe Worsley, Martyn Williams, Alun Wyn-Jones, Paul O'Connell (capt), Donncha O'Callaghan, Simon Shaw, Nathan Hines, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Phil Vickery, Euan Murray, Jerry Flannery, Lee Mears, Matthew Rees.
