Former British and Irish Lions head coach Sir Ian McGeechan believes that Wales flanker Sam Warburton should be named as the Lions skipper for the summer tour of Australia.

England captain Chris Robshaw, Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Wales's Ryan Jones are also understood to be in the running, but McGeechan has picked his clear favourite.

"For me Sam Warburton has come through strongly. The biggest question mark hanging over him was his ability to stay fit. It was not an indictment of Warburton for him to be held back from the Wales captaincy," he told The Telegraph.

"Rob Howley did exactly the right thing. What gets you on the plane for the Lions is playing well. Leadership qualities never go away. Your form or fitness can. His last two games have answered all the questions.

"You would have to talk about Brian O'Driscoll in that captaincy conversation, Chris Robshaw as well. In the first part of the tour, Warren Gatland will give every player an opportunity so you need good leaders every time you put out a side.

"You try to implement the same principles of play so that it becomes second nature to the group. That requires strong, collective leadership. Sam Warburton is my frontrunner."

McGeechan also represented the Lions as a player.