Knee injury scare for Lions captaincy favourite

NZ fifth at Hong Kong

A scan will determine if British and Irish Lions captaincy favourite Sam Warburton can tour New Zealand after a knee injury scare.

Warburton - tipped by former Lions coach Ian Mcgeechan as the best candidate to lead Warren Gatland’s team - hobbled off during the Cardiff Blues’ 24-24 draw with Ulster on Sunday.

A Wales Online report indicated Warburton, who had earlier scored a try for Cardiff, was hopeful that the injury was not serious.

His Welsh team-mate Dan Biggar will also continue to be assessed after returning to the field following a head knock for Ospreys against Leinster last weekend.

A tour-ending injury to Warburton would be a big blow for Gatland, who selected the 28-yearold as his captain for the Lions’ series winning tour to Australia in 2013.

Mcgeechan, who toured New Zealand as a Lions player in 1977 and as head coach in 1993, believes Warburton should land the Lions job ahead of England skipper New Zealand salvaged fifth place at the Hong Kong Sevens after picking up to late wins over England and Argentina.

But their hopes of breaking their rugby Sevens World Series duck in 2017 were dealt a blow early on Sunday when they were knocked out in the Hong Kong quarterfinals by South Africa, 21-19.

Wins over England (21-7) and Argentina (10-7) showed the team’s fighting spirit.

Dylan Hartley and lock Alun Wyn Jones, who took over as Wales captain from Warburton.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mcgeechan said Warburton should got the nod because he was assured of his test place, his ferocious approach to game, special rapport with Gatland and proven past record as a leader with Wales and the Lions.

‘‘Warburton has looked back to his very best since returning in the autumn and I really hope the injury is not a major one,’’ wrote

But the big positive of the tournament was the discovery of debutant Joe Ravouvou. He bagged a brace of tries against England and looked dangerous each time he got his hands on the ball.

His size, pace and offloading ability make him a player who shapes as being key in New Zealand sevens’ future.

Fiji won their third consecutive Hong Kong title, beating South Africa 22-0 in the final.

Mcgeechan.

‘‘Whether his improved form is a direct result of his relinquishing the Wales captaincy to Alun Wyn is an interesting question. It would be ironic if Sam got the Lions captaincy partly because of giving up the Wales one.

‘‘But presuming he is fit I think he is the obvious pick.’’

Mcgeechan said he was ‘‘already veering towards Jones or Warburton’’ because he liked his captains ‘‘to come from the back five of the scrum’’.