Wales flanker Sam Warburton, one of the favourites to be captain for the British and Irish Lions’ tour to New Zealand, has been ruled out for about six weeks because of a left knee injury.
Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson gave the injury prognosis on Tuesday after Warburton strained medial ligaments while playing for the Welsh province against Ulster on Friday.
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If his recovery goes according to schedule, Warburton will have less than two weeks to recover his match fitness for the start of the Lions tour. The tourists’ first match is on June 3 against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei.
Warburton is one of the stand-out options to captain the Lions, along with Wales teammate Alun Wyn Jones and Ireland hooker Rory Best.
Warburton captained the Lions for the 2013 tour to Australia.
“Sam has a low grade medial strain which will put him out for approximately six weeks, which won’t interfere with the Lions,” Wilson said.
“He shouldn’t have any problem regarding the Lions.
“Knowing how diligent Sam will be, with all these things, you see players who get back quickly if they follow religiously the protocol and they get a bit of luck.
“And I am sure that will be the case with Sam in terms of him following the protocol, and then we will see, all being well, how quickly he can come back.
adastra32
Guest
It's all a blur... ;-)
Old Bugger
Guest
CG If that's the case, then I agree, its the only choice. He is the incumbent and a winning series captain along with a winning series coach - been there, done that kinda thing. While I don't for one moment believe that Warburton, would destabilise the side if he were selected but not given the captaincy, on the contrary I do think he has the leadership qualities to do the opposite and bring, everyone together. Also, I just think Hartley carries too much baggage while Best, tends to wear his heart on his sleeve. And AWJ, got his stint when Warburton was injured.....well, that's my take anyway. So, good choice.
ClarkeG
Guest
Have just watched a clip of BT Sports' Rugby Tonight where Healey and Dallaglio say that it is a widely known well kept secret that Warburton will be named Lions captain.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Squad of 19 , selected from 15 provincial teams ..More to follow "The remainder of the squad will be confirmed closer to the team's assembly in Whangarei on May 28, as coaches monitor player progress across the country."
The Sheriff
Guest
Tell us what the 'nasty memories" were. I have forgotten.
adastra32
Guest
None of this will stop Judy Gatland including him in the squad or playing him. He's a good player but, if it happens, nasty memories of 2005 will begin to bubble up....
cuw
Guest
Bryn Gatland named in New Zealand Provincial Barbarians squad for opening game of British and Irish Lions tour FORWARDS: Aiden Ross (Bay of Plenty), Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington), Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago), Epalahame Faiva (Waikato), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Quinten Strange (Tasman), Joshua Goodhue (Northland), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu), Mitchell Brown (Taranaki), Matthew Matich (Northland), Peter Rowe (Wanganui), Jonathan Taumateine (Counties Manukau) BACKS: Jack Stratton (Canterbury), Bryn Gatland (North Harbour), Jonathan Fa’auli (Taranaki), Jonah Lowe (Hawke’s Bay), Sevuloni Reece (Waikato), Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau), Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)