Graham Henry to Lions coach Warren Gatland - drop captain Sam Warburton, Farrell over Te'o

Sir Graham Henry says the Lions should axe tour captain Sam Warburton (pictured) from the Lions test starting XV. Photo / Getty Images

Sir Graham Henry says the Lions should axe tour captain Sam Warburton from the Lions test starting XV.

And the former All Blacks, Lions and Wales coach has dropped a few bombshells in the team he thinks Warren Gatland should pick against the world champions at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Henry told the Telegraph the Lions "have a show if they can squeeze the All Blacks the way they squeezed the Maori".

His team to do it would be captained by the veteran Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones, with Maro Itoje - who starred against the Maori All Blacks - used as an impact player.

"I've picked the old head - I think that's important to have some experience there," he said.

"(Itoje) is a big player who can add some light to the pack ... after 45 or 50 minutes."

Warburton would assume the captaincy off the bench, when Itoje came on for Jones.

In the big backline call, Henry says if Owen Farrell is fit, the English star should partner Welsh powerhouse Jonathan Davies in the centres.

"[Johnny] Sexton has come right and played exceptionally well," he said, adding that halfback Conor Murray was the best No. 9 in world rugby.

He would bypass struggling power wing George North, a certainty in top form but a man whose career has been hit by horrid concussion problems.

Henry includes England's Jonathan Joseph on the bench as the outside back cover, despite concerns over his defence.

He manages one big surprise on the reserves bench, nominating stoic prop Dan Cole at tighthead ahead of the impressive but inexperienced impact specialist Kyle Sinckler.

Henry finished off his selection saying: "I don't know if Warren will get that right, but I think it will be pretty close."

Henry's team is: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell (Ben Te'o), Anthony Watson, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Taulupe Faletau, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Alun Wyn Jones (c), George Kruis, Tadhg Furlong, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Rory Best, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton; Rhys Webb, Jonathan Joseph, George North/Te'o.