Lions

Ryan Jones, Mike Blair and Steve Borthwick all missed the cut as Paul O'Connell is confirmed as the captain of the 37-man 2009 British and Irish Lions squad to tour to South Africa in the later this year.

Munster and Ireland lock O'Connell edged out his national captain, Brian O'Driscoll, to be named captain but insists he has the support of the 2005 Lions skipper.

O'Connell is the 28th captain of the famous representative team and will lead the squad to South Africa in May for the 10-match, three-Test tour. The squad comprises 20 forwards and 17 backline players selected from the best players within the Four Home Unions: Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland.

The announcement of the British & Irish Lions squad was made in London by Tour Manager Gerald Davies and head coach Ian McGeechan. The tour party has 14 representatives from Ireland, 13 from Wales, 8 from England and 2 from Scotland.

O'Connell is the incumbent captain of Munster, 2008 Heineken European Cup Champions and 2009 semif-inalists. The 29 year-old Limerick man has represented Ireland on 62 occasions and has captained his country three times. He will be the 10th Irishman to lead the British & Irish Lions on tour succeeding another Irishman, Brian O'Driscoll, who captained the 2005 British & Irish to New Zealand.

"Following a highly competitive Six Nations Championship this year today's announcement of the British & Irish Lions tour squad has been highly anticipated. 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", said tour manager and former Lion Gerald Davies.

Head coach Ian 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."

He continued: "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 6 Nations and domestic rugby and has a balanced blend of experience and youth."

"Paul O'Connell has shown over his career that he is a natural leader both on and off the field. He leads from the front on the field and as a quality international has the respect of his fellow players all over the world."

"As a member of the 2005 tour to New Zealand he played in five matches including three Tests so knows all about the ethos and challenges of Lions tours. I look forward to working with him and the entire squad over the coming months as we strive to develop a side that can add a successful chapter in the long history of the Lions," added McGeechan.

On his selection as Lions captain, O'Connell said, "To be selected for a second Lions tour is fantastic and to be asked to captain the squad is a tremendous honour. It is not only a great honour for me but an honour for Munster and Ireland."

"The tour to South Africa represents a huge challenge for the touring party as we will be playing against the world champions. However, I am confident we have the talent and attitude to represent the famous shirt to the best of our ability and to be successful."

2009 British & Irish Lions squad

Fullback: Lee Byrne (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Wing: Shane Williams (Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Ugo Moyne (England), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
Centre: Tom Shanklin (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Keith Earls (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England)
FlyHalf: Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Stephen Jones (Wales)
Scrumhalf: Mike Phillips (Wales), Harry Ellis (England), Tomas O'Leary (Ireland)

No.8: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Andy Powell (Wales),
Flank forwards: David Wallace (Ireland), Stephen Ferris (Ireland), Alan Quinlan (Ireland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales),
Lock: Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Simon Shaw (England), Nathan Hines (Scotland)
Prop: Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Andrew Sheridan (England), Phil Vickery (England), Euan Murray (Scotland)
Hooker: Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Lee Mears (England), Matthew Rees (Wales)