O’Driscoll ‘overwhelmed’

NEW LIONS captain Brian O’Driscoll has vowed to “lead from the front” in New Zealand and admitted he would seek advice from predecessor Martin Johnson before departing to face the All Blacks.

O’Driscoll - who has led Ireland on a permanent basis since the 2003 World Cup - saw off competition yesterday from Lawrence Dallaglio and Paul O’Connell to land the most coveted job in British and Irish rugby.

The 26-year-old succeeds Johnson, Lions skipper in 1997 and 2001, in what is an impossibly tough act to follow, but he is ready to look to the England great for guidance as he prepares to spearhead the challenge against All Blacks.