OBE for Lions ace Warburton
BRITISH and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours, along with England Women cricket skipper Heather Knight.
Welshman Warburton led the Lions on their last two tours, including the drawn Test series against world champions New Zealand during the summer.
The 29-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker is currently recovering from surgery on a neck problem which ruled him out of contention for Wales’ Test matches in November and December.
He has so far won 74 international caps for Wales and also led the Lions in Australia in 2013, when he became the squad’s youngest captain at 24 for the 2-1 victory over the Wallabies.
Warburton was part of the Cardiff team which beat Toulon to win the 2010 European Challenge Cup, a first continental success for a Welsh club.
Knight receives her OBE for services to cricket following England’s World Cup triumph, which was delivered with victory over India at Lord’s in July.
The 27-year-old said she was “blown away” to receive the “massive honour”.
The coach of the team, Mark Robinson, also collects an OBE, while bowler Anya Shrubsole and Kent’s Tammy Beaumont both receive the MBE.
The England and Wales Cricket Board director of women’s cricket Clare Connor becomes a CBE, having previously been awarded an OBE.
Former Scotland rugby union captain Ian McLauchlan becomes an MBE, which came as a “very pleasant surprise”. Ed Morrison, England’s first full-time professional rugby union referee, also collects an OBE.
Former Manchester United youth team coach Eric Harrison – who helped develop the ‘Class of 92’ including the likes of Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham – receives an MBE.
Paralympian Stef Reid, who won silver in the F44 long jump at London 2012 and Rio 2016, is also awarded an MBE.
Welsh cycling coach Alan Davis, who helped the likes of Olympic team pursuit gold medallists Owain Doull and Elinor Barker as youngsters while also riding with Geraint Thomas, becomes an MBE.
International Ski Federation secretary general Sarah Lewis receives an OBE for services to sport, Scotland and Lions team doctor James Robson is awarded an MBE.
Nicky Henderson – trainer of the Queen’s racehorses – has been made a Royal Victorian Order Lieutenant (LVO).