Six Nations 2013: Sam Warburton still in Lions mix - Rob Howley
Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugby

Sam Warburton's British and Irish Lions hopes will not be damaged by his omission from the Wales team to play Italy, claims interim coach Rob Howley.
Warburton, once favourite to be Lions captain, will miss his second successive game as Howley sticks with the same team that beat France 16-6.
Justin Tipuric impressed in Warburton's place during Saturday's win in Paris.
But when asked if Warburton's absence could cost him a Lions place, Howley said: "I wouldn't have thought so."
Howley, who will be part of Warren Gatland's Lions coaching team on the tour to Australia, added: "Obviously Warren's got a high regard for Sam Warburton as a player and as a leader.
"And, obviously from a Lions perspective, you don't have to be playing international rugby or captaining your side to be involved with the Lions."
Warburton, Wales' 2012 Grand Slam captain, missed the 16-6 victory over France because of a shoulder injury and will not start against Italy in Rome.
Howley has already declared his intention to pick the same starting line-up which beat Les Bleus for the trip to Italy on 23 February, meaning Ryan Jones will continue as captain with Tipuric at open-side flanker.
Jones and Tipuric performed impressively in an effective Welsh back row, as Wales ended a run of eight successive defeats.
Warburton could be on the bench for Wales' clash in Italy and will only have games against Scotland and England to stake a claim for a Lions tour place.
Gatland has handed over the Wales reins to Howley for the Six Nations.
But former scrum-half Howley insists there has been no pressure from Gatland when it comes to Wales selection with the Lions in mind.
"Selection, by all the coaches, is what's best for Wales to perform," said Howley.
"The best for Wales to perform against Italy is to pick the side early on, something which we haven't done for a long time.
"We just feel it is the right thing at the right time."
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For me the Byrne scenario is simple, Halfpenny hasn't had a bad game for Wales since Byrne came back into contention but its great cover
If the guy has any sense he'll omit him from the national squad completely and allow him to gradually get back to fitness with the dragons.
Rushing him, and chucking him back in at the deep end after 7-8 months without playing would only stunt his rehab in my opinion.
I am sure he knows as well as any of us that he's not producing the goods at the moment, but it doesn't mean that he still won't be in 6 weeks time.
Also Howley said he believes he'll make the tour, not the test side. It's all still to play for!
Best you stick to what you understand, football and watching men dance. Hopeless assessment of the best sh in the UK.
Absolutely.
How ridiculous to select the Lions team before the chance to compare the home nations in the current Championship!
No one has really stood out in non stand out games.
Intelligent followers of 6n rugby will watch the remaining 18 matches before drawing conclusions based on form, injury and probably compatibility.
Warburton is not right on current form or the right horse.
The Aussies hate playing the England tight 5 and the Irish back row. Youngs unlocks their defence, the jury is out on Farrell, BOD must start, along with Ashton, North and Kearney.
Lions Captain has to be BOD. Experienced captain in great form at the min.
this tour will be lost before we even get on the plane if we are not unified, this was the case in previous tours, we need to get a good balance and thet does not mean picking 7/7/7 it does mean picking a TEAM
The truth is none of the above. When people comment on the Lions is it so hard to take leave rose tinted glasses off? A form Warburton would be a huge plus for the Lions but he will need to improve first.The back row battle in Cardiff will go a long way to proving credentials
Warburton to my mind is going to struggle to make the tour because of his form and the fact he has umpteen others competing for those spots. Class may be permanent but the tour (like form) is only temporary.
Pick the best players on form , that means fit not half cooked , doesn't matter where they are from . Grow up.