Lions boss Ian McGeechan has laid down the gauntlet to his 37-man squad by insisting he has no preconceived ideas on his starting XV for the first test against South Africa on June 20.

Only captain Paul O'Connell is guaranteed a place according to former Scotland coach McGeechan who, in contrast to Sir Clive Woodward four years ago, will give everyone a fair crack of the whip in the warm-up matches to make a statement.

He said: "As selectors we have to give every player the opportunity to make his own mark for selection.

"You have to keep an open mind because some players you know will raise their game.

"We won't be looking at the test team until the week before the first test.

"Naturally there were some tough decisions and there will be disappointed players but I am confident that this is a very strong and capable squad."

Backs:

Lee Byrne (Ospreys and Wales), Rob Kearney (Leinster and Ireland), Shane Williams (Ospreys and Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Ugo Monye (Harlequins and England), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster and Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster and Ireland), Riki Flutey (Wasps and England), Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets and Wales), Ronan O'Gara (Munster and Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys and Wales), Harry Ellis (Leicester and England), Tomas O'Leary (Munster and Ireland).

Forwards:

Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys and Wales), Andrew Sheridan (Sale and England), Phil Vickery (Wasps and England), Euan Murray (Northampton and Scotland), Jerry Flannery (Munster and Ireland), Lee Mears (Bath and England), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets and Wales), Paul O'Connell, capt (Munster and Ireland), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys and Wales), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster and Ireland), Nathan Hines (Perpignan and Scotland), Simon Shaw (Wasps and England), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland), Alan Quinlan (Munster and Ireland), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), David Wallace (Munster and Ireland), Joe Worsley (Wasps and England), Stephen Ferris (Ulster and Ireland).