British and Irish Lions

The 30-year-old Leinster centre captained his country during the recent autumn internationals but there had been speculation that fellow Lions leadership contender Paul O'Connell would be Declan Kidney's favoured choice this time around.

"I am delighted that Brian has yet again agreed to lead the side in this year's championship," said Kidney, who will be entering his first Six Nations as Ireland's head coach.

"He has the leadership qualities which are vital at this level and, along with those of the other team leaders in the squad, will be important for the tournament ahead."

O'Driscoll holds the Irish captaincy record having led his country on 52 occasions since replacing the enigmatic Keith Wood nearly five years ago.

He currently has 88 Ireland caps to his name and will be pushing hard to earn selection for his third successive Lions tour this summer.

O'Driscoll starred as a 21-year-old when the Lions faced the Wallabies in 2001 but suffered a tour-ending injury in the opening moments of the first Test against New Zealand four years ago.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.

British & Irish Lions hookers Dylan Hartley and Tom Youngs will fight out their own private duel in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday and then become team mates for the next six weeks a day later.