Staff Reporter.
@GettyImages.
Alun Wyn Jones will miss the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa because of a shoulder injury and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray will captain the side instead.
Jones dislocated his shoulder during Saturday’s warm-up game against Japan, where Justin Tipuric also sustained a tour-ending shoulder injury.
Wales’ Adam Beard and Josh Navidi have been called up as replacements.
“Alun Wyn will obviously be a big loss,” head coach Warren Gatland said.
The appointment of 32-year-old Murray – who has toured twice before with the Lions and has 89 Ireland caps – may come as a surprise to some.
England captain Owen Farrell and Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg also feature in the 37-man squad but Gatland said Jones “will be ably replaced” by Murray.
“Conor is an outstanding rugby player and is held in the highest regard with both the players and coaches,” he continued.
“As a three-time Lions tourist, he knows what will be required as captain and I am certain he will lead the squad with excellence. He will also be well supported by an experienced leadership group.”
Beard and Navidi will link up with the group before they travel to South Africa.
The Lions will now head to Johannesburg to begin their tour of South Africa. Gatland’s side will play the four franchises that have been added to the newly-formed United Rugby Championship which has replaced the PRO14 – the Lions, Sharks, Bulls and Stormers.