James Horwill to skipper Australia for British and Irish Lions series

Queensland Reds lock James Horwill has been named as the captain of Australia for their three-Test series with the British and Irish Lions this summer.

Horwill, who missed his club's 22-12 defeat to the Lions on Saturday, has won 35 caps for the Wallabies since making his international debut in 2007.

The 28-year-old will lead out his country for the first Test in Queensland on June 22 before donning the armband again in Melbourne a week later.

Horwill will then skipper the side once more in the final Test with the tourists in Sydney the following Saturday.

Australia are due to announce their final squad for the series with the Lions later on Monday.