Warburton ready to fight for Wales captaincy

British & Irish Lion Sam Warburton insists he is not certain to regain the Wales captaincy when the autumn internationals begin next month. [more]

Warburton ready to fight for Wales captaincy

British & Irish Lion Sam Warburton insists he is not certain to regain the Wales captaincy when the autumn internationals begin next month.

The 26-year-old flanker sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in March that ensured he had to sit out the summer tour to South Africa, with Alun Wyn Jones taking up the armband.

Warburton captained the Lions in the first two Tests of their victorious tour of Australia in 2013 with Jones deputising for his injured Welsh teammate in the triumphant final test.

And with the Wales team boasting a number of experienced leaders, Warburton is not sure if he will be the man to lead for Warren Gatland once more.

"Outside of campaigns nobody knows who the Welsh captain is and nobody assumes," Warburton told Wales Online.

"I have not been Welsh captain for six months. Somebody might introduce me as the Welsh captain but technically I am not.

"We have a lot of leaders now if you just look at the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Gethin Jenkins, Jonathan Davies, Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts among others.

"If I turned up for a Welsh squad I would never be concerned about players not wanting to influence training or the game."

Previous story Pulu picking Sonny Bill’s brains after All Blacks call-up
Next story Cruden faces battle to regain All Blacks spot