Iain Henderson 'an obvious choice' to captain Lions against Sharks, says Warren Gatland

Tour captain Conor Murray was named amongst the replacements by Gatland

Iain Henderson. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Warren Gatland described matchday captain Iain Henderson as a natural fit for the role as he named his British & Irish Lions side for Wednesday evening’s tour match against the Cell C Sharks in Johannesburg.

The veteran head coach was true to his stated policy of playing all 37 members of squad across the first three matches and the third tour outing sees him hand debuts to back rows Tom Curry of England and Wales flanker Josh Navidi as well as Welsh lock Adam Beard, who will partner first-time Lions skipper Henderson in the second row.