O'Connell leads out Lions

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The Ireland lock will lead a powerful line-up that includes seven Wales internationals, while Keith Earls and Jamie Roberts both make Lions debuts in midfield.

Head coach Ian McGeechan has named an all-Ospreys back three of Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams, with Ireland Grand Slam winner Ronan O'Gara pulling the strings from fly-half.

There is also an immediate chance for Scotland skipper and scrum-half Mike Blair, who was called into the squad last month after Munster's Tomas O'Leary withdrew through injury.

O'Connell will be partnered in the second row by England's Simon Shaw.

The English veteran and O'Connell are among only eight players in a matchday 22 to have featured on a previous Lions tour.

Earls, at 21, is the youngest player on tour in South Africa, and McGeechan believes it will be a day to savour for both the Irishman and 22-year-old Roberts.

McGeechan said: "I think it is really exciting if we have a lot of players making their debuts. I remember my debut for the Lions against Western Transvaal in 1974, and it is a career highlight.

"For young men such as Keith Earls and Jamie Roberts it will be a day to remember and they will be thrilled to get an early taste of match action on the tour.

"While we have a lot of players making their Lions debuts, there is a huge amount of international experience in the team. The average age is 28 and that reflects the maturity we have in the squad."