O’Driscoll must lead Lions — O’Sullivan

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN admits he’d be “amazed” if Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll doesn’t captain the British and Irish Lions in South Africa this summer.

The former Ireland head coach also revealed it remains his ambition to become head coach of the Lions, but strongly supports O’Driscoll to lead the 2009 tour down to South Africa.

Ian McGeehan will announce his squad at a press conference at Heathrow on Tuesday and both O’Driscoll and Munster skipper Paul O’Connell are believed to be short-listed for the role of tour captain.

O’Sullivan said: “It’s a no-brainer.

“Absolutely, no question — Brian O’Driscoll (would be my pick). I’d be amazed if he is not captain of the Lions.”

O’Sullivan is currently settling into his new job as USA Eagles head coach, but hasn’t given up hope on one day coaching the Lions.

“I interviewed for the last tour when Clive Woodward got it.

“I almost got on the tour in 2001 with Graham Henry — it didn’t happen.

“And I almost got on this tour and it didn’t happen.

“Sometime in the future maybe my ship might come in.

“It is very hard to look beyond coaching your country,” he told scrum.com.

“It’s the greatest honour to coach your national team. But the Lions are very special also.”