Rugby: Lions coach ignores the injured and the captains

Lions coach Ian McGeechan this morning named Ireland captain Paul O'Connell to lead his 37-man touring party to South Africa next month.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, who led the Lions on their unsuccessful trip to New Zealand in 2005 has been dropped as skipper, but is in the squad.

O'Connell's Irish teammates, Grand Slam winners in the Six Nations competition, made up the bulk of the touring party, while three of the Six Nations captains were surprise omissions.

Wales' Ryan Jones, England's Steve Borthwick and Scotland's Mike Blair were all left out.

England first five-eighth Danny Cipriani was also left out, after speculation that his variable form was unwelcome in the expected tense series, but Wales winger Shane Williams, another who had been under a cloud, was included.

The team was announced this morning in London after the side's management spent the last two days debating the final names.

McGeechan was coach in 1997, the last time the Lions went to South Africa.

On that occasion he surprised many by naming Martin Johnson as captain even though he was not leader of England at the time.

The Lions won that series 2-1.

O'Connell, a 29-year-old lock, has led Ireland four times.

Before the squad announcement, McGeechan's decision to pick on form and leave the injured at home won the approval of former Lions.

Scotland great Gavin Hastings said: "Four years ago, so many players were picked to go to New Zealand that were either injured or not on form at all.

"So Ian McGeechan is right to select by form, because when you're on such a short tour you can't afford to carry anyone."

McGeechan had made known his preference for a forward as captain, so O'Driscoll, a centre, was always at a disadvantage.

But by not selecting the skipper of the hapless 2005 side that was routed in New Zealand, McGeechan has drawn a line under the team's recent sorry history.

Regardless, the ghosts of 2005's disastrous tour will not rest easily. This year's Lions face the world champion Springboks at the height of confidence.

They will feel the dry, hard surface favours their faster game, and will back themselves to outmuscle any Lions forward combination.

The 37-man squad is: Fullbacks: Lee Byrne (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland). Wings: Shane Williams (Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Ugo Moyne (England), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland). Centres: Tom Shanklin (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Keith Earls (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England). Fly-halfs: Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Stephen Jones (Wales). Scrum-halfs: Mike Phillips (Wales), Harry Ellis (England), Tomas O'Leary (Ireland). No 8s: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Andy Powell (Wales). Flankers: David Wallace (Ireland), Stephen Ferris (Ireland), Alan Quinlan (Ireland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales). Locks: Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland, capt), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Simon Shaw (England), Nathan Hines (Scotland). Props: Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Andrew Sheridan (England), Phil Vickery (England), Euan Murray (Scotland). Hookers: Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Lee Mears (England), Matthew Rees (Wales).