Wilson backing Warby to prove his Wales worth
CARDIFF Blues boss Danny Wilson says Sam Warburton is determined to prove he deserves his place in the Wales team on merit now that he has lost the captaincy, writes SIMON THOMAS.
Warburton has been replaced as skipper by Alun Wyn Jones for the Six Nations and faces a real battle for selection amid intense competition for back row starting spots.
But Wilson believes the 69-cap flanker will rise to the challenge and has revealed he is looking to develop his attacking game to add to his physicality and defensive strength.
“I think Sam is the type of person that wants to be picked because he is the best 7 available, as opposed to having any captaincy influence in selection,” he said.
“That’s Sam and I think it’s credit to him, credit to the professional that he is.
“I think he deserves the opportunity to work hard on his own game and be selected.
“He will want to be on peak form to be selected to play for his country.”
Wilson says Warburton will be aiming to lay down a marker when he lines up against Bristol at the Arms Park on Saturday, as the Blues go in search of the win that would guarantee them a place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
“He is a professional player who comes into this environment and gets on with his work,” he said.
“He has been excellent this week. His leadership has been great for us.
“He captained the team well out in Pau last week, especially in the second half and he’s looking forward to getting out there this weekend and putting a performance in. He’s bright enough and humble enough to know he needs to be playing well. He’s the type that if he wasn’t playing well he wouldn’t be comfortable himself anyway.
“He’s working extremely hard on his own game to hit form going into the Six Nations and I’ve been impressed with his attitude towards that. He has been great.”
Warburton has played at both six and seven for club and country this season, so what does Wilson see as his best position these days?
“His biggest strengths are defensively in my opinion,” he said.
“He is an outstanding defensive 7 in terms of his ability to lead defence, his physicality in defence, his contributions over the ball, slowing ball down, turning ball over.
“We all know he has got a turn of pace and the ability to attack as well. I think probably he wants to add a bit more to his attacking game. That would be his feeling.
“I certainly think he has the capability of playing six and seven, because he’s also a lineout forward. As a six, he can carry and deliver at lineout. We have seen him do that for us and for Wales.
“He can do both, but he has made his career on being a 7.”
The change of captaincy sees an end to Warburton’s six year reign during which he has led his country a record 49 times.
“I think we should pay a little bit of a tribute looking back at the good job he has done as captain,” said Wilson.
“I think he has been superb for Wales as captain. You just have to look at the things they have achieved while he has been skipper. He’s done it right at the top end of the game with the Lions as well.”
On the fitness front, the Blues are hoping to have outside-half Gareth Anscombe available again this weekend to face Bristol after two months out due to groin surgery.
“It’s a realistic option for Gareth to be involved. It’s been a case of so far, so good for him in training this week,” said Wilson.
No 8 Nick Williams and prop Rhys Gill could also return after calf and concussion problems respectively, while winger Blaine Scully is back having missed the Pau trip due to personal reasons.
Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Bristol at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday (3pm) an be purchased at www.cardiffblues.com/ tickets/