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Who will captain the British Lions to South Africa? HERE

Five big names pick their captain

By Rob Wildman
Last Updated: 8:25PM GMT 23 Mar 2009

Jeremy Guscott
Former Lions and England centre

Paul O'Connell – I think forwards make better captains than backs because they are always in the thick of things. He's done a good job for Munster and he fits the bill to be a Lions captain, following in the footsteps of the two best in Martin Johnson and Willie-John McBride.

Brian Ashton
Former England coach

Brian O'Driscoll – Whenever Ireland have been in trouble he's led from the front and has stood up to be counted. He also has something to prove after the last tour to New Zealand and still has the desire to make his mark in world rugby as proved by the Grand Slam success.

Geoff Cooke
Former Lions and England manager

Brian O'Driscoll – some say that he is not the player he was, but he has done nothing wrong in this Six Nations Championship. I think that it's best leaving Paul O'Connell to concentrate on being a lock. There is so much more to being a Lions captain and O'Driscoll has the experience to handle all the pressure.

Dick Best
Former Lions assistant coach and England coach

Paul O'Connell – he's not the shoo-in everyone thought he was for the captaincy before the Six Nations, but he's following the example set by Martin Johnson in 1997 and he fits the bill perfectly.

David Sole
Former Lions prop and Scotland captain

Paul O'Connell – Ian McGeechan picked Martin Johnson in 1997 because he wanted a big player who the Springboks had to look up to. O'Connell is a big man in every sense of the word, he is inked into the starting XV and has the respect of all the players.