British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has made a somewhat surprising choice in picking the captaincy replacement for veteran Alun Wyn Jones, who was ruled out of the tour of South Africa.

Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray has been officially confirmed as the new British & Irish Lions captain after Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out of the tour of South Africa.

Jones and countryman Justin Tipuric both sustained tour-ending shoulder injuries during the Lions 28-10 win over Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Lions confirmed late on Saturday that Murray will be taking over the captaincy, while Jones and Tipuric’s places in the squad will be taken by Welsh duo Adam Beard and Josh Navidi.

Murray will be embarking on his third Lions tour, having previously been part of the 2013 tour of Australia and 2017 tour of New Zealand.

“We’re all incredibly disappointed for Alun Wyn and Justin,” said Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland. “Alun Wyn will obviously be a big loss, both on and off the field, but will be ably replaced by Conor.”

Exeter Chiefs quartet, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Stuart Hogg, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds will also link up with the 37-man touring party as planned in Edinburgh on Sunday 27 June.

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