Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

SIMPLY AN astonishing day in the history of Irish rugby in what continues to be a dream season. As expected, Paul O’Connell was yesterday unveiled as the eighth post-war Irish captain of the Lions, and the 11th of 27 Lions tour skippers overall, but furthermore, he will lead a 37-man squad containing an unprecedented 14 Irishmen.