Eddie Jones has come up with a novel concept ahead of the Lions tour, regarding the captaincy.

Numerous players are in contention will lead the team including Rory Best, Dylan Hartley, Alun Wyn Jones and 2013 captain Sam Warburton.

The England head coach has stated that a group of four players should lead the team in the opening matches, before the First Test in Auckland on June 24th. The Lions will play six matches against all four local Super Rugby teams, the New Zealand Barbarians and the Maori, before the First Test.

Jones said that Warren Gatland should bring the captains of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on Tour.  "I would take those four captains and make that the leadership group,he told the BBC at an event in London. "Then after the warm-up games, whoever was the leading player I would make captain for the first Test".

"You look at the last Lions tour and Sam Warburton captained the first two and Alun Wyn Jones captained the third, so I think you can separate it."

In the past three Lions tours, only Paul O'Connell in 2009 started the Tour as captain, and led the team in all three Tests. 

The last time the Lions travelled to New Zealand, Gareth Thomas captained the team in the final two Tests, after Brian O'Driscoll was injured in the opening Test match.