Warburton in the mix for Lions’ captaincy on New Zealand tour

Gatland will today name squad for demanding series against the world champions

Months of speculation will come to an end today when coach Warren Gatland names his squad for the British and Irish Lions tour of his native New Zealand.

Gatland was in charge when the Lions enjoyed a series win in Australia during their last tour four years ago.

But the 53-year-old, again on secondment from his job as Wales coach, knows as well as anyone that internationals against world champions New Zealand are a completely different order of business.

Gatland was a schoolboy rugby fan when the Lions enjoyed their only series win over the All Blacks in 1971.

This year the Lions, whose tour manager John Spencer, the former England international, was a member of the 1971 squad, will have three Tests in which to triumph over New Zealand.

There is uncertainty over the identity of the Lions captain with Gatland reported by British media to be in favour of Sam Warburton. If chosen, the back-row forward — who stood down from the Wales captaincy for this year’s Six Nations — would become just the second man after England great Martin Johnson in 1997 and 2001 to captain the Lions on two tours.

Warburton, however, is currently out with a knee injury and is expected to be sidelined for five weeks, meaning he would be only be fit a few days before the squad departs on May 29.

Intense debate

There has been intense debate in Wales over whether Warburton or Justin Tipuric is the better openside flanker.

Former England and Lions fly-half Stuart Barnes, now a columnist for British national daily said Warburton was “a fine player” and a “good man” but should not even be in the combined side’s Test team in New Zealand, let alone be captain, arguing his injury for the series decider in Australia helped pave the way for the tourists’ 2-1 triumph in 2013.

“He will defend until the last man drops in New Zealand. But more will be needed against the best team in the world. And Warburton doesn’t possess that extra ingredient,” said Barnes.

Meanwhile the traditional difficulty that faces all Lions coaches of putting together a winning side featuring the best players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, is made harder for Gatland by rugby union’s congested schedule.

The squad will only assemble as a whole on May 28, the day after the English Premiership and Celtic League club finals. They fly to New Zealand a day later with their tour opener on June 3.