Watch out for a Wales World Cup bolter – Sam
SAM Warburton believes there will be a bolter in Wales’ World Cup squad this year. The former national team captain has predicted Warren Gatland will spring a surprise when he whittles down his 42-man squad to 31 at the start of September.
Warburton, who was named Welsh captain in the run-up to the 2011 World Cup, cites that very tournament as an example of when an unheralded name came up on the rails to secure late selection.
“It’s so hard. A lot happens in the training camp,” said Warburton, speaking at the unveiling of his new range of protein-packed baked products, ‘Sam’s Sport Active’, at The Royal Welsh Show.
“Lloyd Williams got picked on his pre-season over Richie Rees in 2011. He ran himself into that team in Poland. The fitness levels he showed when we went out there
was incredible.
“There’s so much behind closed doors that we can’t see. Yes, the spine of the team is picked but so many guys can run themselves into the team from the way they are training pre-season.
“There’ll be a selection that we won’t see coming because someone has run themselves into the team. That will always happen because someone will always impress without us knowing. I’m looking forward to seeing who that is.”
Given the competition in the squad, the former British and Irish Lions skipper admitted he couldn’t predict for certain who that surprise might be.
However, he did suggest one former regional team-mate who could be a contender as a potential bolter.
“Owen Lane could be one,” he said. “He’s a great athlete.
“Whoever is picked for that squad wouldn’t surprise me. They have all got a genuine chance of selection.
“They’ll make sure all the players know that on day one, so going in they give 110 per cent. They genuinely all do have a chance. You’ve got three months to impress. Any one of that 42 can make the starting 15. It’s a real vital period now.”
Having waxed lyrical about the importance of the ‘beastings’ Wales’ players are currently taking in training camps when it comes to securing selection in the final squad, Warburton has the luxury this year of wandering around Llanelwedd rather than pushing his body to the limits in Switzerland.
Having hung up his boots a year ago, the 30-year-old will be an interested spectator during this year’s World Cup, rather than an integral talisman – as was the case in the past two tournaments.
But what does he make of Wales’ chances from a watching brief?
“The World Cup is the most wide open it’s ever been,” he added.
“If I was team captain, I’d be saying there’s no other option but bringing this trophy home to Wales. That’s the mentality I expect them to have.
“If Alun Wyn comes out saying we’re expecting to win the World Cup, I one hundred per cent back him. That’s the mentality I’d be having if I was playing. I’m sure that’s what they’d be saying behind closed doors and they should think that.
“I’m really excited to see what they achieve.”