Warburton named Lions skipper as Gatland names 41-man squad to tour New Zealand

Wales flanker Sam Warburton has been named captain of a 41-man British & Irish Lions squad, which features 12 Welshmen and only two Scots.

England captain Dylan Hartley has been left out but 16 Englishmen are included including prop Kyle Sinckler and centre Ben Te’o.

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Head coach Warren Gatland has named an enlarged party, with England’s Jonathan Joseph named as one of the centres but there is no room for Joe Launchbury, George Ford, James Haskell or Chris Robshaw.

Warburton becomes only the second man to captain back-to-back Lions tours, after Martin Johnson in 1997 and 2001.

“There were some pretty lively debates finalising the squad,” Gatland said.

“But we are very happy with the quality of squad we have.”

Warburton revealed where he was when he received the call from Gatland telling him he would captain the Lions: “I was in a supermarket car park.” The Welshman insists he will be 100% fit for the tour to New Zealand.

Asked when he completed his squad selection, Gatland said: “Late yesterday afternoon. There were some pretty lively debates in terms of finalising the squad. We are very happy with the quality and we’re excited with the team put together.

“It was probably the hardest we have had [to pick]. We think it is the strongest squad. We are really excited with the talent and quality of the team we are taking to New Zealand.”

Lions squad

BACKS

Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), George North (Wales), Jack Nowell (England), Jared Payne (Ireland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Ben Te’o (England), Anthony Watson (England), Rhys Webb (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Ben Youngs (England)

FORWARDS

Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Peter O’Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Billy Vunipola (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales)

Watch the squad announcement

Lions itinerary

3 June: New Zealand Barbarians

7 June: Blues

10 June: Crusaders

13 June: Highlanders

17 June: Maori All Blacks

20 June: Chiefs

24 June: New Zealand – First Test

27 June: Hurricanes

1 July: New Zealand – Second Test

8 July: New Zealand – Third Test