Lions head coach Ian McGeechan will name his 36-man touring party and skipper at a Heathrow Airport Hotel at 1.30pm on Tuesday.
Twenty-nine-year-old O’Connell is in line to be announced as team captain ahead of his Irish team mate Brian O’Driscoll.
Sixty-two time capped lock O’Connell played in the Lions three Test matches in their 2005 tour to New Zealand.
He was inspirational in Ireland’s Grand Slam success last month and has been in outstanding form for Munster this season.
Munster skipper Paul O’Connell is this week savouring Young Munster’s achievement of avoiding the drop to Division 2 of the All-Ireland League, thanks to a last gasp 17-14 victory over UCD at Belfield on Saturday.
O’Connell, who assisted with a number of Munsters’ training sessions during the season, was in constant contact with the club President Declan Edwards via text messages on Saturday to find out how the side was faring in their make-or-break tie with UCD.
Declan Edwards said he believed O’Connell was the right man to lead the Lions in their 10-match tour to South Africa: “I feel that Paul (O’Connell) is without doubt the right man to lead the Lions. (Ian) McGeechan likes forwards to captain his sides. History has shown that. Paul (O’Connell) is a leader of men. He commands huge respect worldwide. He deserves to be captain.
“And we cannot forget Keith Earls either. Hopefully he will be included in the squad for South Africa too.”
Lions legend Jim Telfer already hinted that Paul O’Connell will be announced as the captain of the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour.
The man who was Ian McGeechan’s forwards coach on the last Lions trip to South Africa 12 years ago told BBC Wales that he wanted the Munster giant to be given the role. Telfer has been used by fellow Scot McGeechan as a selection adviser in the build up to Tuesday’s announcement.
“I would give the captaincy to Paul O’Connell. I would go for a forward in South Africa,” said Telfer.
“They always try to intimidate you in South Africa. They did it to us in 1968 and they will try to do the same thing again this summer.”
Meanwhile Limerick sides enjoyed a hugely successful final series of regular seasons games in the AIL on Saturday.
Shannon and Garryowen will meet in a Division 1 semi-final next Saturday in Coonagh as a result of both sides securing bonus point wins at the weekend.
The game is a repeat of last season’s semi-final when Garryowen ran out convincing winners.
Young Munster pulled off their own version of the ‘great escape’ at the Belfield Bowl when a last gasp drop goal from Mike Prendergast ensured the Clifford Park side’s survival in Division 1 of the AIL for another season. Declan Edwards said: “With the drop goal the ball skipped off the top of the crossbar and into the air.
“There was silence at the ground. Thankfully, the ball dropped at the right side of the crossbar from our point of view.
“We had to weather another attack from UCD before the final whistle blew.
“For us it is vital to be playing in Division 1B next season. It would have been a disaster to drop out.
“It’s great for the players and for our coaches who have given so much.”
Young Munsters will play in the new-look eight-team Division 1B next season.
UL Bohemian already assured of their place in Division 1B suffered a final day defeat to Blackrock College.
Meanwhile gritty Thomond secured their Division 2 status for next season after securing an impressive 29-15 victory over Bective Rangers at Fitzgerald Park on Saturday.
Old Crescent set up a Division 2 semi-final meeting with UCC next weekend as a result of their 21-19 away victory over Malone.
Bruff’s hopes of securing a top four finish ended with their 3-10 defeat by Greystones.
Colm Kinsella
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