Magners Leage fills the Lions share of touring squad

This represents 73% of the touring party, a far higher proportion than the 48% selected by Sir Clive Woodward when he named 21 Celtic players in his 44 man squad that toured to New Zealand in 2005.

It is also the best ever selection of players who currently play their rugby in one of the Celtic nations beating the 24 that were named for the 1977 tour, also to New Zealand.

Of the individual Magners League teams Munster provide eight players, the highest representation ever by a single province, Leinster four and Ulster one, the first Ulster Lion since 1989. The Welsh Regions Cardiff Blues and Ospreys supply six players apeice, the Blues best total since their forerunners Cardiff had six players named in the original touring party in 1968, whilst Swansea and Neath combined have never bettered today's selection..

Director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan said "the make up of the 2009 Lions touring party reflects the standard that the players based in the Magners League have shown over the season and when they have participated in other tournaments.

"Celtic teams already hold three cross-border titles, the RBS Six Nations Trophy, the Heineken and EDF Energy cups, and it would be an immense achievement if being part of a winning British and Irish Lions touring party could be added to the CV of some of our players.

"On behalf of the Board of Celtic Rugby I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected and wish them well in their endeavours over the summer."

2009 British & Irish Lions squad:

Backs
Lee Byrne (Wales)
Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Shane Williams (Wales)
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Ugo Moyne (England)
Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)
Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
Tom Shanklin (Wales)
Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
Keith Earls (Ireland)
Riki Flutey (England)
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
Stephen Jones (Wales)

Mike Phillips (Wales)
Harry Ellis (England)
Tomas O'Leary (Ireland)
Forwards
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Andy Powell (Wales)
David Wallace (Ireland)
Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
Alan Quinlan (Ireland)
Joe Worsley (England)
Martyn Williams (Wales)
Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland)
Simon Shaw (England)
Nathan Hines (Scotland)
Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
Adam Jones (Wales)
Andrew Sheridan (England)
Phil Vickery (England)
Euan Murray (Scotland)
Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
Lee Mears (England)
Matthew Rees (Wales)