Warburton: Losing the leadership frees me up
Sam Warburton has spoken about his decision to relinquish the captaincy of Wales, revealing his return to the playing ranks has left him more determined than ever to prove his worth to the side.
Warburton’s six-year reign came to an end last week when Alun Wyn Jones was announced as the man in charge for the Six Nations.
It means the successful 2013 Lions captain can focus solely on his role as a member of Rob Howley’s squad, a move he believes will benefit him and Wales.
Warburton has suffered with injury over the past year and faces competition from the likes of Justin Tipuric for a starting spot, but said he welcomed the challenge of fighting for his place.
“The decision on the captaincy is something I’ve known about for a while — it was a relatively easy one,” said Warburton, who has led Wales a record 49 times. “Captaincy has never been the motivation for me. The one thing I don’t want to become is complacent. To get picked in the team has always been my focus and the main priority is to play the best rugby I possibly can.
“Not having the captaincy allows me a little bit more freedom. Even though you are in a team sport, you do still need to be selfish. Performance has to be the No 1 priority, that’s why this is the best thing.”
Warburton was appointed captain by Warren Gatland in 2011 and while his time in charge has now come to an end, the 28-year-old has no regrets. He led his country to the Grand Slam in 2012 and the Six Nations title the following year and captained the team at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
“When I look back to when I nearly didn’t take the captaincy in 2011, that would have been the biggest mistake of my rugby career. I’m so glad I didn’t do that,” Warburton added.
“I didn’t want to do it at all but as a player and a person, it’s helped massively to improve me.”
Warburton is refusing to rule out leading Wales again, but for now is focused only on the Six Nations opener with Italy on February 6.
Jones will captain the side in Rome and then against England in Cardiff six days later, and Warburton added: “No one is guaranteed an international place, but the captain has to be as close to a guaranteed starting spot as you can get. That’s why for me Alun Wyn is a standout candidate.”