Paul O’Connell has revealed the Lions second row pairing he would like to see in New Zealand next summer, leaving no room for his old sparring partner Alun-Wyn Jones, writes Gavin Spillane.

The former Ireland captain’s decision to omit Jones comes as a surprise considering the two forged an impressive partnership in the scrum and lineout in 2009 and 2013.

The Ospreys and Wales legend has been tipped by many, given his experience, but O’Connell has chosen England dynamo Maro Itoje and Wasps captain Joe Launchbury to put it up to the All Blacks.

Looking at the second-row selection battle for the Lions, O’Connell praised a “phenomenal” Maro Itoje, telling the Daily Mail:

“He is the new, modern second-row player. He’s like a tall No 8. He’s as good as the No 8 and has an incredible all-round game.

“As a second row back in the day, you had to be able to really handle yourself. There was a lot of foul play.

“Now there isn’t and it’s great that someone like him can just concentrate on being a great rugby player.”

“I hope he remains injury-free, because that is the killer when you are such a good player. They all want you to play as much as possible and when you get injured, they want you back as quick as possible.

“Injuries can dull your ability, so I hope he can avoid them.”

Alongside Itoje is Launchbury, who O’Connell believes can be “a big asset” to his team. While O’Connell has opted with the England pair, he has also earmarked Devin Toner as a contender for the Test Series next June.

“At the moment I’d go for Itoje and Joe Launchbury.

“When I played against him two years ago, I thought Launchbury was phenomenal. He was brilliant over the ball, a really good carrier and a good lineout man.”

“He showed a bit of leadership as well and he’s a big, heavy guy. I’d like to see Dev Toner in there somewhere too. I think he is a very under-rated guy, because he is so laid-back.”