British Lions prepare for South African challenge

The 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of South Africa this summer has been unveiled with, as predicted, giant Irish lock Paul O'Connell named as captain.

As skipper he will be expected to lead from the front in what promises to be a brutal and enthralling encounter with the world champions.

The hulking 29-year-old (pictured above) will follow in the footsteps of Lions legends Willie John McBride and Martin Johnson - both imposing forwards who led the Lions to victory over the Springboks in 1974 and 1997.

After 12 years waiting to avenge their last defeat at the hands of the tourists, South Africa will be champing at the bit by the time the Lions arrive next month, and all of world rugby will be glued to the three Test series in June and July.

Being made a Lion is like joining the ‘SAS of rugby’ according to Lawrence Dallaglio

Lions tours, which take place every four years, are the biggest event in the rugby calendar after the World Cup, and being selected is a huge honour for players from the four home nations. Former England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio described the Lions as "the SAS of rugby".

No player other than the captain had been informed of his selection before today's announcement, so the candidates had an anxious wait before the final party was revealed.

With so much competition for places there were bound to be causualties and among the notable absentees were Steve Borthwick, Mike Blair and Ryan Jones - the captains of England, Scotland and Wales.

Big names like Gavin Henson and Jonny Wilkinson were also missing. The most surprising name in the party was that of 36-year-old England lock Simon Shaw, who was a member of the 1997 squad.

O'Connell, who has led Ireland on just four occasions, said it was an "incredible honour" to be given the role as captain. The decision to appoint O'Connell rather than his national skipper Brian O'Driscoll appears to have been based at least partly on intimidation.

The Lions will need to be as intimidating as possible if they are to stand a chanceCoach Ian McGeechan said he picked Martin Johnson as skipper in 1997 because he was a "physical presence to knock on the Springboks' dressing room door and intimidate them".

And the Lions will need to be as intimidating as possible if they are to stand a chance against their hosts in what promises to be a thunderous collision. Dallaglio described his experience as a Lion in South Africa in 1997 as "more brutal than anything I encountered in my entire career".

However, the Lions should be ready. Ten members of the squad weigh over 18 stone, including all five props - the cornerstones of the scrum.

Preparations for the tour will start almost immediately - head coach Ian McGeechan revealed that those members of the squad who play for clubs whose season is over will soon be leaving for high altiutude training in Guyana before the tour begins next month.

The squad in full: Full-backs: 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); No8s: 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). ·