The British and Irish Lions squad for the 2009 tour to South Africa included the usual combination of the tried and the untested, but coach Ian McGeechan is a canny operator who knows just what it takes to mould a winning combination, having piloted the tourists to a Test series victory over the same opposition in 1997.

The latest selection will be led by Ireland's Paul O'Connell, a giant of a man with a heart to match, although his countryman Brian O'Driscoll, who captained the Lions on their previous tour, to New Zealand in 2005, can perhaps feel a little hard done by.

The squad for 2009 is perhaps most notable for its omissions, with three captains of 2009 Six Nations teams ignored - Wales' Ryan Jones, Scotland's Mike Blair and England's Steve Borthwick.

High-profile players such as England's Jonny Wilkinson and Wales' Gavin Henson were not considered due to injury problems.

In 2009 as in 1997 the Lions' schedule sees them up against the reigning world champions, with the Springboks having won the Webb Ellis Trophy both in 1995 and 2007.

In South Africa, in particular, the Lions have a mythical status, mainly as a result of their comprehensive thrashing of the Springboks back in 1974 - and as any touring Lions player will tell you, pulling on that famous red jersey remains something quite special.