Lions squad: Alun Wyn Jones named captain as Warren Gatland reveals 37 players for tour of South Africa

Alan Wyn Jones will captain the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa, head coach Warren Gatland has revealed.

The Welsh forward led his country to Six Nations victory in the spring, falling agonisingly short of the grand slam in Paris on the final day of the championship, and the 35-year-old was the standout candidate to lead Gatland’s squad into battle against the world champions this summer.

Gatland will also announce his full squad today, with Ireland’s Jonny Sexton set to miss out and England’s Sam Simmonds in line for a call-up despite his peripheral role with England recently.

Jones, who is the game’s most capped player with 157 test appearances, including 148 for Wales, is preparing for his fourth tour with the Lions after playing key roles in 2009, 2013 and 2017, having featured in each of the last nine Lions test matches.

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It headlines a stellar playing career that has seen him win five Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and play in two World Cup semi-finals. Jones led the Lions to a Test series-clinching victory over Australia in Sydney eight years ago when fellow Welshman Sam Warburton was injured.

And he will now be in charge from the start of the tour in July and August that is highlighted by three Tests against the world champion Springboks.

More to follow…

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