British & Irish Lions 41-man squad revealed

Sam Warburton has been announced as the Lions captain for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand this summer. England captain Dylan Hartley has been omitted from the squad as one of the more high profile absentees, losing his place to England team-mate Jamie George, who has been selected as understudy at hooker.

Jonathan Joseph and Ross Moriarty are among the surprise inclusions in Warren Gatland’s extended 41-man British & Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of New Zealand.

Head coach Warren Gatland has selected a 41-man squad for the 10 fixtures culminating in a three-Test series against New Zealand, including surprise call-ups for Ireland full-back Jared Payne, England wing Jack Nowell and Wales back row Ross Moriarty.

16 England players were announced, 12 Welshmen, 11 Irishmen and two Scots in wing Tommy Seymour and full-back Stuart Hogg.

There are 16 players who toured Australia in 2013, including the player of the series Leigh Halfpenny and Warburton, who becomes only the second man to be named as captain for two tours after Martin Johnson, who was the skipper for 1997 and 2001.

“There’s been healthy debate about the squad and now that it’s been announced we need to get it behind it 100% and get excited about travelling to New Zealand,” said Gatland, who named a 37-man squad to tour Australia four years ago.

Full squad list

Backs: Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), George North (Wales), Jack Nowell (England), Jared Payne (Ireland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Ben T’eo (England), Anthony Watson (England), Rhys Webb (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Ben Youngs (England)

Forwards: Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Peter O’Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Billy Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales, capt).