O'Connell still a good bet for captaincy

Chris O'Keefe

Analysis

With the squad for the Lions' tour of South Africa announced later this month, much of the talk has been surrounding who will captain the side in the summer. Much of the discussion surrounds two Irish Grand Slam winners.

Brian O'Driscoll, captain of 2005 touring party until a spear from Tana Umaga ended his test series in the opening minutes of the first test in Christchurch. O'Driscoll, is still considered a reasonable choice for captain, and rightly so! The Irish captain was key to much of his sides good play and crucial scores on the way to a first Grand Slam in 61 years. He will be a credit to the captaincy and is already likely to be one of senior figures in the squad, whatever his role.

However, former Lions and England fly-half Stuart Barnes suggested that Paul O'Connell may not be the right choice because if he was selected in the role, he would likely lead by example and take the game to what is a formidable South Africa pack and therefore would possibly go against him.

However, the Times' gang of five, casting their opinion on who to select had contrasting views. Lawrence Dallalgio believes it has to be a forward and therefore O'Connell or Phil Vickery would get the nod, discounting O'Driscoll after his "traumatic" experience in New Zealand four years ago. O'Connell as captain was an idea shared by Jeremy Guscott, Kenny Logan and Times chief sports writer David Walsh.

Now, it is easy to suggest its a certainty that O'Connell will be named captain based upon this summary. That obviously will not be the case. However, it appears the bookies are equally confident who Ian McGeechan will call upon.

Oddschecker.com currently has the Munster lock at 6/11 to be captain, Brian O'Driscoll is 6/5 and Wales and Ospreys back-row Ryan Jones is 9/2 although he is less certain for starting berth come the first test in Durban, June 20.

O'Connell would be a fine choice as captain. He was integral to Ireland's Grand Slam, having a storming game when it mattered in Cardiff only a week ago. Indeed, his leadership for Munster over many years has, in part, helped secure two European Cups for the club. There is little doubt he can, if anyone, make it work.

Stuart Barnes is understandably respecting a strong Springbok pack. They will be some challenge to overcome. With McGeechan, Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland involved in this Lions setup, they won't mind the challenge. Before the First Test of the 1997 series in South Africa, Lions coach famously gave his pack a "roasting" making sure they were well worked over and mentally ready for a brutal test series. It was a series where forwards like Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallalgio and Keith Wood and surprise packages like Scot Tom Smith as a result.

There is no reason to suggest the same cannot happen again in the summer. Therefore Paul O'Connell, probably one of only a few fairly certain picks in the test team, is a good bet to be captain.