Alun Wyn Jones set to captain British and Irish Lions for South Africa tour

Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones is among the top contenders to lead the British and Irish Lions for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Head coach Warren Gatland is set to unveil the 36-man squad for the three-Test series on Thursday.

Jones is already the most-capped player in Test history with 157 international appearances and had represented the Lions already in three tours - 2009, 2013 and 2017.

The 35-year-old, who recently signed a contract extension with the Welsh Rugby Union for a year, recently guided Wales to a Six Nations title earlier in the year and also was part of the victorious 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2019 campaigns that included three Grand Slams.

With experience on his side, Jones is among clear favourites to lead the Lions with Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell, Stuart Hogg and Ken Owens being the other possible options with Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton still recovering from a concussion related issue.

The Lions will face Japan in a warm-up game at Murrayfield Stadium on 26th June before heading to South Africa where they will face DHL Stormers, South Africa 'Invitational', Cell C Sharks, South Africa 'A' and Vodacom Bulls in tour games before locking horns with World Champions Springboks in a three-Test series between 24th July and 7th August with FNB Stadium, Cape Town Stadium and Emirates Airline Park being the venues.