Warren Gatland has left Johnny Sexton out of his Lions squad, with eight Irish players making the cut.
The Ireland captain misses out while Gatland has selected Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and Andrew Porter.
Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been named British and Irish Lions captain for this summer’s tour of South Africa.
The 35-year-old Ospreys forward captained Wales to the Guinness Six Nations title in March.
Jones, who embarks on a fourth successive Lions tour, has clocked up a world record 157 Tests for Wales and the Lions.
He was the favourite to be appointed as Lions skipper by head coach Warren Gatland ahead of other potential contenders like England internationals Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell.
Welcome back, Skipper 💪
1997, 2001 - Martin Johnson
2005 - Brian O'Driscoll
2009 - Paul O'Connell
2013, 2017 - Sam Warburton
2021 - Alun Wyn Jones (C)#LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/7cdzEZzP7g— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 6, 2021
And 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.
Speaking on lionsrugby.com, Jones said: “Obviously very proud, very privileged. To be selected in the squad is initially what you want to be hearing, and to have the armband as well is a privilege, with the names that have gone before and what those players have achieved.”
Asked how he had found out, Jones said: “I had a call from Gats on Sunday evening, actually a missed call. Thought better give him a call back.
“We had a quick chat and I accepted obviously. I’ve just got a huge amount of pride to add this to the CV, but obviously there’s a lot of work to do once we get out there.”
