Alun Wyn Jones selected as Lions tour captain

Wales’ captain Alun Wyn Jones has been confirmed as captain of the British and Irish Lions.

Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams, Talupe Faletau, Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Ken Owens were also chosen from Wales. Leigh Halfpenny and Josh Navidi were the most high-profile Welsh players to miss out.

It will be the third tour in a row that a Welshman has captained the Lions, after Sam Warburton was tour captain of the last two tours to Australia and New Zealand.

Alun Wyn Jones clinched the role after Wales won the Six Nations in March. He has also played 9 tests for the Lions over three tours. He has won a world record 157 overall.

He said that coach Warren Gatland had phoned to tell him the news on Sunday. But he said that he was given no idea who else is in the squad:

“That was just a one-to-one, no other information was passed on,” he said. “It’s one of those few times, it’s a leveller for all players.”

He added on the topic of being chosen as captain: “The significance isn’t lost for me. To do that is a huge honour.

“It was indescribable in that I’ve been doing this for a while now, and I could see the joy on my family’s faces.”

He said that his first tour in 2009 felt “a lifetime ago”.