SAM’S THE MAN FOR GEECH...
Warburton ticks all the boxes for Lions captaincy, insists Sir Ian
LIONS legend Sir Ian McGeechan has outlined the compelling reasons why he believes Sam Warburton is the right man to captain Warren Gatland’s side in New Zealand this summer.
McGeechan believes Warburton will land the job ahead of England skipper Dylan Hartley, who has led Eddie Jones’ men to back-to-back Six Nations titles, and Alun Wyn Jones, who replaced him as Wales captain.
The four-times Lions coach says there is certain irony in Warburton being chosen for the coveted Lions job on the back of actually losing the Wales captaincy.
But he argues that provided Warburton shakes off the knee problem that saw him limp out of Cardiff Blues’ draw with Ulster on Friday night, then Gatland has only one person to turn to.
The reasons, according to McGeechan, include Warburton being assured of his place in the Test XV, his ferocious approach to games, 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 McGeechan in his column for the Sunday Telegraph.
“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 ready to back any one of Warburton, Alun Wyn, Hartley or Ireland skipper Rory Best, depending on what happened during the Six Nations.
But now he comes down unhesitatingly in favour of Warburton and spells out why.
“I was already veering towards Jones or Warburton anyway, because I like my captains to come from the back five of the scrum. I think they are a good link between forwards and backs, so involved in the game,” continues McGeechan.
“But what I think also plays in Sam’s favour is the fact that he is one of very few players who looks assured of his place in the Test team.
“You want your tour captain to be starting the big games. And there are not many automatic picks. Owen Farrell? Billy Vunipola? Mako Vunipola perhaps? Conor Murray? C J Stander? Not many.
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“Warburton is looking pretty good for that No 7 shirt. And that is not down to a dearth of opensides. Sean O’Brien got better as the Six Nations wore on. James Haskell has been very effective for England. Hamish Watson and Justin Tipuric are excellent players. But I would say Warburton has got his nose in front.
“Warburton offers versatility; he can play anywhere across the back row, he is ferocious over the ball, he can carry. He also offers a line-out option which could be useful.”
He goes on: “Hartley must be in the frame because the core of the travelling party will be English and you cannot ignore that fact. But he is far less assured of his place.
“Neither he nor Best is sure to start, with Ken Owens probably the form hooker in the Six Nations just gone.
“As for the second row, that is probably the most competitive area in the entire squad.”
McGeechan concludes that the special rapport Warburton has with Gatland is the key and what he dubs the “decisive factor.”
“Warren knows Warburton so well. He trusts him. He was his captain for Wales for so many years.”