The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Warburton backed to lead the Lions
Sam Warburton is a clear bookmakers’ favourite to captain the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer despite an injury setback.
The Wales and Cardiff Blues flanker is expected to be sidelined for six weeks as he recovers from a knee ligament strain.
Warburton was hurt during the Blues’ Guinness Pro12 clash against Ulster last Friday, but Blues head coach Danny Wilson has allayed any fears about the 28-year-old’s Lions tour hopes.
Warburton is expected to be named in Lions head coach Warren Gatland’s squad next week, and potentially as skipper for the three-Test trip in June and July.
The 2013 Lions captain is unlikely to play for the Blues again this season unless they reach the European Champions Cup qualification play-off final, scheduled for May 27 or 28.
“Sam has a low grade medial strain which will put him out for approximately six weeks, which won’t interfere with the Lions,” Wilson said. “He shouldn’t have any problem regarding the Lions.”
Warburton will miss the Blues’ Pro12 appointment with the Ospreys on Saturday, plus remaining regular season fixtures against Zebre and Newport Gwent Dragons.
Meanwhile, tribute has been paid to Warburton’s former Wales and Lions colleague Mike Phillips who announced earlier this week that he is retiring from professional rugby at the end of the season.
The ex-Wales scrum-half won 94 caps for his country during a 12-year international career that also included five Test match appearances for the British and Irish Lions across two tours – South Africa in 2009, and Australia four years later.
Phillips, 34, joined his current club Sale Sharks from French side Racing 92 last summer. He previously played for the Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Bayonne.
He called time on his Test career in December 2015, having made a final Wales appearance four months earlier.
Paying tribute to Phillips, Sale rugby director Steve Diamond said: “On behalf of the club and the rest of the coaches, I would like to thank Mike for his massive contribution this season to the squad.
“He’s a great lad and a true professional, and we as a club have learned a lot from him.”