O'Connell handed captaincy

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O'Connell edged team-mate and Ireland's Grand Slam-winning skipper Brian O'Driscoll for the most prestigious job in British and Irish rugby.

The 29-year-old lock has led Ireland on just four occasions and becomes the nation's 10th Lions captain.

Among the other players who have emerged into potential stardom are Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny, England flyer Ugo Monye and Wales number eight Andy Powell.

Powell has arguably beaten his national captain Ryan Jones for a back-row slot, with Jones - Wales' Grand Slam skipper last year - going from hero to zero in just 12 months.

Fellow RBS 6 Nations captains Steve Borthwick and Mike Blair have also failed to make the squad for the tour of South Africa.

England full-back Delon Armitage, who impressed many through his outstanding displays this season, also misses out along with Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani, Gavin Henson and James Hook, plus the shock omission of England flanker Tom Croft.

Armitage's omission appears to buck the trend of Lions head coach Ian McGeechan selecting on form, especially as Wales wing Shane Williams has made the cut after an average campaign.

And there are also call-ups for four members of McGeechan's Wasps - centre Riki Flutey, prop Phil Vickery, lock Simon Shaw and back-row forward Joe Worsley.

O'Connell said: "It's a fabulous honour. This was never something I aspired to do but to be selected is a great honour. It will be a privilege to lead them. It's a great honour considering the captains that have gone before me, some of them legends of the game."