British and Irish Lions captaincy candidates ahead of squad announcement

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will announce who will captain his team for their tour of South Africa this summer on Thursday.

There has been a lot of discussions over the past few months about who could walk in the shoes of past captains such as Sam Warburton, Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll.

There are a few main contenders with the clear favourite being Alun Wyn Jones who many are reporting will be revealed as the captain.

All will be confirmed Thursday morning, shortly before the full squad is announced. But here is a look at the potential captains and why they may be good for the role.

Alun Wyn Jones

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has had an incredible career, there's no doubt about that.

Jones has won five Six Nations titles, two of which as captain, he captained the Lions in 2013 for one test when Sam Warburton was injured and he became the first Lions player ever to play in nine consecutive matches for the team in 2017.

The flanker was first given the Welsh captaincy in 2009 and he became the most experienced international ever in rugby union in October 2020 as he overtook New Zealand's Richie McCaw's record of 148 tests.

So it came as no surprise on Saturday when The Telegraph reported Jones will be the player that is named as captain.

While some fans branded the decision as "unacceptable" and "underwhelming", Jones is the reliable figure on the pitch that can steady the ship when things get a little shaky.

Jones also has a long standing relationship with Gatland who was the head coach for Wales for 12 years. Some may call it a predictable appointment but it's one that would work.

Owen Farrell

Farrell has remained a favourite of England head coach Eddie Jones' since the Australian took over from Stuart Lancaster in 2015.

Jones made Farrell captain in 2019 and the Saracens star has stayed in the post ever since. The playmaker, who plays at fly-half or centre, is one who divides opinion which could work against his potential ambitions to become the Lions captain.

Pundits and fans alike have debates on whether he should even still hold the England captaincy, especially after the Roses lacklustre performance in the 2021 Six Nations.

However, he did lead England to the 2019 World Cup final and he has won the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup as captain.

While it is unlikely Farrell will be named as captain tomorrow, it also wouldn't be a shock if he were to lead the side.

Stuart Hogg

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is most definitely going to be named in the squad after a phenomenal Six Nations campaign but will he be chosen as captain? Maybe not.

A vice-captaincy role could fit Hogg well as the full-back is 28 and it could stand him in good stead to be named as the captain in the 2025 tour.

Hogg lead Scotland to a huge win at Twickenham in the Six Nations and a victory over France which was their first win in Paris for 22 years.

If the Exeter Chiefs star is named tomorrow it could shock many, but if he continues his captaincy as he has this season the Lions will be on course for some victories.

Other candidates

There are of course many other names that have been thrown into discussion in the lead up to the announcement but there are two players worth mentioning who could get the nod.

England's Maro Itoje has been spoken about as a potential Lions captain since he made his England debut in 2016. Whether he wanted that spotlight on him or not, it was thrust upon him and his every action since that point has been looked at through the lens of a Lions captain.

So much so that when he conceded five of England's 14 penalties against Wales in the 2021 Six Nations, many were writing him off and suggesting he shouldn't be the leader.

However, he continues to be England's talisman and so while Farrell may be everyone's number one candidate from England to be captain, it may be more likely that Itoje takes the crown.

While Ireland's Johnny Sexton is one who seems to have been ruled out in terms of media discussion.

The Irish captain should not be discounted though as he is extremely experienced and clinical in the captaincy role.

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