William Hill have installed Paul O’Connell as their Even money favourite to captain the Lions on their tour of South Africa. The Munster lock has been instrumental in Ireland’s Grand Slam winning Six Nations campaign and the bookmakers believe that he is in with a slightly better chance than Brian O’Driscoll of getting the coveted post. O’Driscoll is rated the 5-4 second favourite to get the Lions job, while the Welsh captain Ryan Jones is a 9-2 chance to get the call.

Hills have also opened up a book on who will win the RTE Sports Person of the Year award for 2009. The bookies have installed Brian O’Driscoll as their 8-11 favourite to win the prize, while Bernard Dunne, who won the WBA Super bantamweight title in the early hours of Sunday morning, is the 4-1 second favourite to win the RTE prize.

The Irish International Rugby Team, who won their first Grand Slam since 1948, are rated 1-100 chances to win the RTE Team of the Year Award.

Next Lions Captain: (William Hill Bet) Evens Paul O’Connell, 5-4 Brian O’Driscoll, 9-2 Ryan Jones – Others on Request

RTE Sports Person Of The Year (William Hill Bet): 8-11 Brian O’Driscoll, 4-1 Bernard Dunne, Paul O’Connell, 8-1 Ruby Walsh,14-1 Padraig Harrington, Ronan O’Gara (Rugby),  25-1 Willie Mullins (Racing), 33-1 Rob Kearney (Rugby), Aidan O’Brien (Racing), Colin Cooper (Gaelic Football), 40-1 Robbie Keane, Shay Given (Soccer), Henry Shefflin (Hurling), 50-1 Mary Cullen (Athletics), Derval O’Rourke (Athletics), 100-1 David Gillick (Athletics), Katie Taylor (Boxing) – Others On Request

RTE Team Of The Year: (William Hill Bet): 1-100 Irish International Rugby Team, 16-1 Munster, 20-1 Leinster, 33-1 Kilkenny, 50-1 Kerry – Others On request