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Wales captain Sam Warburton has become the first player from his country to sign a central contract, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Saturday.
The 25-year-old flanker’s contract with the Cardiff Blues had been due to expire at the end of the season, but he has rejected the opportunity to join the exodus of leading players leaving the Welsh game.
“I am delighted to commit my future to Welsh rugby. I would like to thank the WRU for its commitment to me,” Warburton said in a statement released by the WRU.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank my agent, Derwyn Jones, who has supported and mentored me from a young age and always had my best interests at heart.
“Now that my future is secured within Wales, I look forward to focusing on the Six Nations and beyond.”
Warburton, who captained the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour of Australia last year, will spearhead the Welsh challenge in the forthcoming Six Nations championship.
Under the terms of the agreement, the WRU will pay Warburton’s salary but he will be released to play for the Blues at no cost to the region.
Troubled by the flood of players leaving Wales to join clubs in England and France in recent years, the WRU has been trying to devise ways of keeping the top Welsh talent in the country.
The organisation previously attempted to offer George North, now at Northampton, a deal to remain in Wales, only for the Welsh regions to reveal that they had an agreement not to field players with central contracts.
Warburton’s decision bucks the recent trend, with his international colleagues Mike Phillips, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, James Hook and Lee Byrne all currently playing in France.
Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Ian Evans will all join them in the Top 14 next season, while North, Richard Hibbard, Paul James and Craig Mitchell are engaged with English Premiership sides.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.