England rugby union captain Martin Johnson will make Lions history this summer when he leads a 37-strong squad to Australia.

Johnson, at the helm in South Africa four years ago, becomes the first player to lead successive trips. He takes charge of a squad with 17 other Englishmen, while Wales provide 10 players, Ireland six and Scotland three.

Scotland's 21-year-old back-row prospect Simon Taylor is the surprise selection, preferred above more experienced candidates like Budge Pountney, Martin Leslie or Martin Corry.

Former Great Britain rugby league wing Jason Robinson continues his rapid rise through the union ranks.

The wingers include England's Dan Luger, although he has yet to resume after a neck injury, while Austin Healey is selected as scrum-half alongside Rob Howley and Matt Dawson. Absentees include Lions veteran Scott Gibbs and Scotland's Gregor Townsend.

Squad: I Balshaw (England), M Perry (England); B Cohen (England), D James (Wales), D Luger (England), J Robinson (England); M Catt (England), W Greenwood (England), R Henderson (Ireland), B O'Driscoll (Ireland), M Taylor (Wales); N Jenkins (Wales), R O'Gara (Ireland), J Wilkinson (England); M Dawson (England), A Healey (England), R Howley (Wales); J Leonard (England), D Morris (Wales), T Smith (Scotland), P Vickery (England), D Young (Wales); P Greening (England), R McBryde (Wales), K Wood (Ireland); J Davidson (Ireland), D Grewcock (England), M Johnson (England, capt), S Murray (Scotland), M O'Kelly (Ireland); N Back (England), C Charvis (Wales), L Dallaglio (England), R Hill (England), S Quinnell (Wales), S Taylor (Scotland), M Williams (Wales).