Sarries men to bolster Lions
apart from just the last little bit of contact stuff.
“But today [yesterday] I trained fully. We did full contact, and I was absolutely fine. That’s all the boxes ticked, and now I can crack on.”
Warburton will lead a squad packed with international talent, although one of its biggest names — England No 8 Billy Vunipola — dealt the Lions a major blow when he withdrew on Monday (New Zealand time) with a shoulder problem.
“Billy was one of the guys I was really looking forward to playing with who I hadn’t played alongside before,” Warburton added. “He has been a massive player for Saracens. It is a big loss for us, but James [Haskell] coming in — I think only Rory Best and Alun Wyn Jones have got more caps than him in the squad — means we are very lucky.
“He is a player who I think will have a massive impact on this tour.”
Warburton is relishing taking charge of the New Zealand trip, which culminates in a three-test series against the world champion All Blacks, starting at Eden Park, Auckland on June 24.
“I am not going to be naive, I know it is going to be more under the microscope perhaps than four years ago,” he said.
“Four years ago, I was walking around Melbourne and Australians were asking me who the British and Irish Lions were.
“I know there is not going to be anywhere in New Zealand we go and that question is going to be asked.
“If you asked me in my career which Lions tour could I pick to go on out of any of them, if I could pick one, I would pick New Zealand, because it’s New Zealand. I personally can’t wait.” — AAP