Captain call-up was a surprise says Murray

Conor Murray admits even he was surprised to be appointed British and Irish Lions captain once Alun Wyn Jones had been ruled out of the tour to South Africa by a dislocated shoulder.

The Lions are reeling from the devastating loss of Jones after he lasted only seven minutes of Saturday's 28-10 victory over Japan at Murrayfield.

As a veteran of three previous tours and the world's most capped international, the decorated Wales skipper was a talisman for the squad and Warren Gatland's overwhelming choice for the role.

Now into his shoes steps Murray, inset, an on-field general who is favourite to start the Test series at scrumhalf, but a player with no captaincy experience for Ireland or his provincial side Munster.

It is a left-field appointment by Gatland who overlooked more vaunted campaigners such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Ken Owens.

When asked if he was surprised by his elevation to tour leader, Murray said: "A little bit to be honest.

"Warren asked me just before the cap ceremony and it was surreal. I still don't have my head around it, but it's an unbelievable honour. It's something that I never thought would be possible.

"I didn't think about it long. I said, 'absolutely, it'll be a massive honour. Thank you very much for this opportunity'.

The most pressing task facing the Lions is to integrate Adam Beard and Josh Navidi into their squad as quickly as possible. Beard is the unexpected choice as Jones' replacement and Navidi comes in for Justin Tipuric, whose tour is also over because of a shoulder injury sustained in the five-try romp against a disappointing Japan.