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Warburton names his Lions captain and identifies the six players he feels are bankers to start first Test versus the Springboks

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Two-tour Lions skipper Sam Warburton has given his backing for England’s Maro Itoje to skipper the 2021 tour to South Africa rather than his fellow Welshman Alun Wyn Jones, who recently led Wales to Guinness Six Nations title glory.

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The 26-year-old Itoje, who was part of the Eddie Jones England squad that finished fifth in the Six Nations, is currently playing tier-two rugby for Saracens in the Championship and has not previously skippered at Test level.  

However, despite this inexperience and a difficult 2021 so far, Warburton believes that Itoje will be named as Lions skipper when Warren Gatland names his 36-strong tour on May 6 rather than Jones, the 35-year-old veteran who skippered Wales under the New Zealander.

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Wales and Northampton out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Wales and Northampton out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

“I have gone back and forth but I’m going to go with who I thought back at the very beginning and that is Maro Itoje,” said Warburton, who unveiled on Wednesday the jersey the Lions will be wearing on tour. “Everybody looked at the first (Six Nations) game he played where he gave away about four or penalties and you can’t do that. 

“But that was just a little bit of rustiness. Warren will want him to be primed and ready to go because he will be one of the players who will be a guaranteed Test starter and I was extremely, extremely impressed with him in 2017 as well when Warren would have seen all.

“The other captaincy candidates are a bit older and there are questions whether it would be a little too much pressure for them to go through a tour like this at the end of the season… I have gone back and forth with Maro and Alun Wyn Jones. Alun Wyn will be up there. I’m sure Alun Wyn will captain games on tour but I would probably go Maro Itoje.

“The reason I say Maro as captain is because he is a dead cert and it’s between Alun Wyn and James Ryan to battle it out for that No5 shirt. Warren knows the pressure on the captain if they are not a guaranteed starter and there are six bankers to start a Test – Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Taulupe Faletau, Tom Curry, Anthony Watson and Stuart Hogg.

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“I don’t think he will pick a back as captain, so the other player who has the leadership experience he will want is Maro. If Alun Wyn is captain, though, you know you will be in safe hands.”

 

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H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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