O’Driscoll can stake Lions captaincy claim

IRELAND centre Brian O’Driscoll has been given an opportunity to prove his ability to captain the British and Irish Lions after being named skipper of Clive Woodward’s side in next month’s Tsunami relief match in Twickenham.

Woodward, coach of the northern hemisphere side, selected O’Driscoll ahead of Paul O’Connell, the lock who led his country in O’Driscoll’s absence against Scotland on Saturday and is another being touted as a possible Lions captain.

“We have a fantastic group of players that are being invited to play and I am looking forward to choosing the starting XV for the game on March 5 and working with such an outstanding player as Brian in his role as captain,” said Woodward, who will have the chance to gauge the form of a number of Lions hopefuls ahead of the IRB Rugby Aid charity match on March 5.