Competitive edge runs in the family
respect his opinion so much.”
And it was Wales’ most capped player who told Ellis the tough as teak back-rower would be new coach John Mulvihill’s captain at the Blues.
“He knew before me. He said towards the end of last season he wanted just to play again and get his body right as well.
“His wife has just had a baby as well so he has got his hands full. He comes across as miserable at the best of times so now he is operating on four hours of sleep a night he’s a barrel of laughs!
“But Gethin has been great for me. He has always been honest for me whether I like what he has been saying or not – that’s all I can ask for.
“When you are captain you do make decisions but especially with someone like Gethin, he will be in my ear as much as I was in his ear before.
“It’s something I am used to and have a lot of support from other boys within the group as well. Any time I need advice they will have their input as well.
“You’re not always certain of decisions to make on the pitch or whether they are right. There’s a few of us: Gareth Anscombe is one, Lloyd Williams is another and you will say: ‘What do you think about this?’
“When you put all your ideas in one hat you more often than not come up with the best solution.
“That’s how it will be for us but Gethin will still be shouting at me for doing stuff and I’ll be shouting at him for doing stuff. I don’t think much will change in our relationship!”
Ellis says Warburton’s retirement at 29 after failing to overcome the neck problem he suffered while skippering the Lions to a worthy drawn Test series with New Zealand last year is a hazard of the job of flanker.
“It is a very attritional position but in rugby people get knocks and retire early. One of my best friends, Harry Robinson, is my age and has been retired for two years after injuring his neck, so it happens,” he pointed out.
“Sam played in a physical way and unfortunately it has taken its toll on his body. Some people are lucky and can last a lot longer.
“You have to listen to your body sometimes and as people always say there are more important things in life.”
Ellis is recovering from a couple of knocks he suffered last season and the hamstring he tore off the bone in a pre-season friendly against Exeter Chiefs a year ago and kept him out for a few months still plays up.
“We have a full season ahead and it is about trying to get the body right so I can string together as many games as possible,” said the 25-yearold.
“I have to get to a point where I can back up games. The hamstring is still niggling. I rushed back from when I hurt it last year.
“Maybe you could say I came back a little bit soon but based on last season it was probably worth it.