Sam Warburton of Cardiff Blues and Wales will lead the Lions for a second consecutive Tour, an honour only ever achieved once before by Martin Johnson in 1997 and 2001.

Warburton will be supported by a number of former Lions with two players on their third and 14 on their second Tour.The squad consists of 22 forwards and 19 backs, with Maro Itoje the youngest player at the age of 22.

Gatland, who spoke to Warburton on Thursday afternoon last week, explained: "Sam is a great player, an outstanding leader and a winning Lions captain. We believe that Sam's experience and leadership qualities make him an obvious choice as captain. He has earned the respect of his peers and coaches through his resilience, tenacity and hard work."On the eve of the announcement Warburton attended a private dinner with all the living Lions captains in the Hilton Syon Park.

He said: "Being in the same room as so many Lions legends was an amazing experience. I feel humbled and extremely proud to be given the opportunity to captain the Lions for a second Tour and look forward to playing the world champions on their own turf with the best players of the UK and Ireland at my side."

Backs:

• Dan Biggar - Ospreys, Wales
• Elliot Daly - Wasps, England
• Jonathan Davies - Scarlets, Wales, Lions #778
• Owen Farrell - Saracens, England, Lions #780
• Leigh Halfpenny - Toulon, Wales, Lions #775
• Robbie Henshaw - Leinster Rugby, Ireland
• Stuart Hogg - Glasgow Warriors, Scotland, Lions #783
• Jonathan Joseph - Bath Rugby, England
• Conor Murray - Munster Rugby, Ireland, Lions #790
• George North - Northampton Saints, Wales, Lions #792
• Jack Nowell - Exeter Chiefs, England
• Jared Payne - Ulster Rugby, Ireland
• Jonathan Sexton - Leinster Rugby, Ireland, Lions #791
• Tommy Seymour - Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
• Ben Te'o - Worcester Warriors, England
• Anthony Watson - Bath Rugby, England
• Rhys Webb - Ospreys, Wales
• Liam Williams - Scarlets, Wales
• Ben Youngs - Leicester Tigers, England, Lions #799
• Forwards:
• Rory Best - Ulster Rugby, Ireland, Lions #793
• Dan Cole - Leicester Tigers, England, Lions #794
• Taulupe Faletau - Bath Rugby, Wales, Lions #779
• Tadhg Furlong - Leinster Rugby, Ireland
• Jamie George - Saracens, England
• Iain Henderson - Ulster Rugby, Ireland
• Maro Itoje - Saracens, England
• Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys, Wales, Lions #761
• George Kruis - Saracens, England
• Courtney Lawes - Northampton Saints, England
• Joe Marler - Harlequins, England
• Jack McGrath - Leinster Rugby, Ireland
• Ross Moriarty - Gloucester Rugby, Wales
• Sean O'Brien - Leinster Rugby, Ireland, Lions #796
• Peter O'Mahony - Munster Rugby, Ireland
• Ken Owens - Scarlets, Wales
• Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins, England
• CJ Stander - Munster Rugby, Ireland
• Justin Tipuric - Ospreys, Wales, Lions #786
• Mako Vunipola - Saracens, England, Lions #787
• Billy Vunipola - Saracens, England
• Sam Warburton (Captain) - Cardiff Blues, Wales, Lions #800