It looks a cert... bookies suspend betting on Sam

BOOKMAKERS have suspended betting on Sam Warburton being named 2017 Lions captain.

BoyleSports, the leading independent bookmaker in Ireland were offering 2/5 yesterday morning that the Wales flanker would skipper the squad for the second successive time in New Zealand after leading them in 2013 in Australia.

The odds were cut to a measly 1/5 after a flurry of bets were received and traders eventually suspended bets when the support showed little sign of drying up.

It remains to be seen whether other bookmakers will follow suit.

Liam Glynn, BoyleSports spokesperson said: “It now looks like that Sam Warburton will be announced as the Lions captain as we were bombarded with bets for the Welsh international on Wednesday.”

He added: “Our traders had no choice but to suspend the betting as it now looks like Warburton is past the post and some sources know the outcome before it looks as if it will be officially announced.”

Warburton, after a positive Six Nations form-wise, has been heavily fancied to do the job by pundits from all countries, with support for his Wales teammate Alun Wyn Jones having waned.

Other contenders are Ireland’s Rory Best, and England’s Owen Farrell or Dylan Hartley, but none would seem to have as good a case as Warburton given the Blues man’s experience.

Ironically, Warburton’s candidacy has strengthened since he relinquished the Welsh captaincy, something which led in turn to an improvement in his performances.