Warren Gatland open to axing captain in Lions tour

Warren Gatland has revealed that he would be willing to drop the Lions tour captain for this summer's Test series.

Gatland is due to announce his squad and captain later this month ahead of the 10-match tour, with Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Brian O'Driscoll and Chris Robshaw in contention to be skipper.

Despite a squad captain being selected, Gatland has revealed that he would have no problem picking a new captain to lead out the side in the first test against Brisbane.

"I would have no problem picking someone else in the first Test if I felt their form was better," Wales Online quotes Gatland as saying.

"There won't be any favouritism towards the captain and it's good for the harmony of the squad."

The first Test against Brisbane will go ahead on June 22.