Jones would take four-captain Lions leadership group

Eddie Jones would select a four-captain “leadership group” for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

Warren Gatland last week revealed that half a dozen players were in contention to lead the Lions when they take on the immense challenge of facing the All Blacks in June and July.

Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Ireland captain Rory Best, England’s Dylan Hartley and Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw have all been talked of as candidates for the honour.

England head coach Jones believes the Lions could reap the rewards from taking a leader from each country.

“I would take those four captains and make that the leadership group,” said Jones.

“Then after the warm-up games, whoever was the leading player I would make captain for the first Test.

“You look at the last Lions tour and Sam Warburton captained the first two and Alun Wyn Jones captained the third, so I think you can separate it.

“It would be different but I would reckon you would get a great result, with those four captains running the team for you and making sure they set the standards on and off the field.”

Gatland is due to name his squad on April 19.