Paul O'Connell will lead the forward charge as Ian McGeechan's troops face ultimate test against Boks, so writes Hugh Godwin in the Independent on Sunday.
"The Lions will not sing an anthem in South Africa this summer – "The Power of Four", that excruciating mix of politburo and classical pop played before matches on the last trip four years ago, has been quietly ditched – but "Ireland's Call" would be an apt refrain. The captaincy is a choice between Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll, and if the head coach, Ian McGeechan, stands by his own words he will take the side of Munster's ginger monster. Either way, the Grand Slam champions should be well represented in the squad to be named at a Heathrow hotel on Tuesday.
"It is a big ask to take on the world champions on their own turf with two of the three Tests at altitude and only six provincial matches in which to prepare. We know what the Lions won't do: take 45 players and a bunch of dirt-tracker coaches, as Sir Clive Woodward did in 2005. And they won't take unfit players, which places a cloud over Gavin Henson, Mike Tindall and Jonny Wilkinson, though Lee Byrne's foot injury appears to have healed in the nick of time."
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