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Sam Warburton remains coy as Lions captaincy talk intensifies

Wales flanker Sam Warburton says he doesn't want to end up with "egg on his face" by putting hims...



Sam Warburton remains coy as L...
Rugby

Sam Warburton remains coy as Lions captaincy talk intensifies

Wales flanker Sam Warburton says he doesn't want to end up with "egg on his face" by putting himself forward as captain for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

The 28 year old Cardiff Blues player captained the Lions during the 2013 tour to Australia and Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll is among those to back Warburton after a positive Six Nations individually.

Head coach Warren Gatland will name his squad for this summer's trip on the 19th of April.

Warburton has been mentioned as a possible leader, although team-mate Alun Wyn Jones took on the Welsh captaincy for the 2017 Six Nations, with interim head coach Rob Howley stating that "we feel it is right that Sam concentrates on getting his mojo back and playing at his best".

But the former Welsh skipper has told Sky Sports News, he hasn't given it much thought.

"I've always targeted to try and be involved in multiple tours, whether it's a World Cup or campaigns for Wales or I want to play 10 seasons for the Blues," said Warburton.

"That longevity is really important to me so if I was fortunate enough to get into the [Lions] squad then that would be fantastic and anything else, I can't look much further than that." 

Former Ireland and 2005 Lions captain O'Driscoll backed Warburton as a good candidate for the role.

"Sam Warburton has become the bookies favourite - and rightly so in my opinion - for the title after some impressive performances over the past couple of months. With some question marks over his future in the Wales team, he answered his critics in emphatic style with a big tournament, in his less favoured position of blindside flanker," he said.

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