Lions great Edwards wants Warburton recalled

Sir Gareth Edwards is urging Warren Gatland to recall British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton to the starting XV for the second test in Wellington, despite admitting the back row at Eden Park had looked “ absolutely superb”.

While it sounds as if one of the heroes of the 1971 Lions test winning team in New Zealand is contradicting himself, he made it clear on BBC radio that a recall for Warburton, after he was reduced to a replacement role in the first test, was based on the flanker’s work at the break down.

Edwards is also aware that his call could be seen as Welsh bias and said: ” I do admit he is a favourite of mine but it is not based on emotion or nationality, it is about effectiveness in the tackle area. I thought the first test back row looked absolutely superb, but when Sam Warburton came on we looked far more effective in the tackle area.”

Slowing the All Blacks possession down to allow the Lions to reorganise their defence will be one of the key areas for this week’s planning and training for the touring team and if Gatland listens to Edwards the either  Peter O’Mahony, who captained the Lions in the first test, or openside flanker Sean O’Brien would have to be sacrificed.  Mahony’s line out work has been a key element in the Lions armoury while O’Brien’s physicality has made a significant impression  – up to the first test defeat.

Warburton was hampered by injury leading up to the Lions tour and was not been able to deliver an 80minute performance to make a strong case for a test start leading into the Eden Park game. However, Gatland knows that Warburton can be a real handful at the tackle area with his ability to slow down opposition ball and his leadership qualities have never been in question.