SAM WARBURTON

I’VE said it before but Sam Warburton’s two Lions Test appearances as captain against Australia four years ago were two of the greatest individual performances I’ve ever seen and, for me, he was always nailed on for this tour, both as a player and captain. He is an absolutely key figure, an outstanding world-class player in a position and area of the game where New Zealand are always strong, even though there is no Richie McCaw to deal with any more. The only question really is whether he wears a six or seven on his back because I believe Justin Tipuric could fit the bill at openside. Australia have pioneered the two opensides approach and the Lions might follow suit.