BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

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Lions role up for grabs

Tuesday 04th November 2008

McGeechan shows off the new Lions shirt for 2009

British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan has revealed that there are "five or six" players in the running to skipper the tour to South Africa.

Current Wales captain Ryan Jones has been strongly tipped to be handed the responsibility of leading the Lions out for the three-Test showdown against the world champions.

However McGeechan claims that the job is not a foregone conclusion, with a number of players in the frame to lead the side.

And with an announcement on who will captain the 2009 tour not expected until the final squad is confirmed, that means there is plenty of time for Jones' rivals to impress.

Scotland captain Mike Blair and England skipper Steve Borthwick will be looking for strong displays in the autumn internationals, while Irish duo Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, the 2005 skipper, have plenty of experience.

"That decision will not be before we are down to the final 35 really," McGeechan told skysports.com.

"There are five or six players in the frame and we are keeping an open mind on who that person will be.

"They will need to have the respect of the players from all four countries and understand that captaining the Lions is a different proposition to captaining their own country."

McGeechan will spend the next few weeks following South Africa around the UK, with the Boks set to play Tests against Wales (November 8), Scotland (November 15) and England (November 22).

And as well as scouting next summer's opposition, the Lions chief is hoping a number of players will put themselves forward for selection.

"I will follow South Africa around because they will play three of the four unions and then pick up Ireland after that," he added.

"It will give me a chance to see how players perform against the South Africans."

The adidas British and Lions replica shirt will be available to order from November 4 and will go on sale from December 11. For stockist details, please call the adidas customer careline on 0870 240 4204.