Six Nations 2013: Sam Warburton still in Lions mix - Rob Howley

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Sam Warburton

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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  • Sam's got a lot to prove tbh. He won't be going on the tour because of who or what he did last year, that's for sure. A lot's changed since then and the Lions need people at their best this Summer not last. But, having said that Ryan Jones is a shining example of how a man can lose everything (rugby terms) and come out the better for it, and Sam is young enough and bright enough to follow suit.

  • @40 Obviously Sam isn't Wales or NH inform back row, and shouldn't be in the Wales squad right now, i said in the AI's Tipuric should start, just Sam has been there and we know what he can do so wouldn't surprise me if he snuck on the plane and Gatland loves him!
    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

  • Just read http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21430806 about Howley stating that Dan Lydiate could be back for England.

    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.

  • @37 Englands best player is their current 7 so why change anything? Armitage needs to play in England, but what top English club would pay to have him?

  • Warburton was the 2nd youngest Welsh Captain and some people's player of the tournament in the 2011 World Cup despite his sending off. Yet 2012 saw him blighted with injuries and he's not been helped by his own versatility being shuffled across the back row. He's still young and learning. I think he needs better man management to restore his confidence and realise his potential.

  • This article was generated by a question being put to Howley by a journalist; "Has Warburton's absence from the starting line up cost him his Lion's place?" It would have have been very strange if Howley had replied "Yep. He's out!". Instead he gave the most honest answer he could; "I wouldn't have thought so."

  • I wouldn't read to much in to what has been said here, Gatland has the final say and I suspect this is Howley attempting to lift SW's confidence.

    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!

  • @30.LincolnManUtd
    Best you stick to what you understand, football and watching men dance. Hopeless assessment of the best sh in the UK.

  • I know one thing Ashton won't be going

  • 17. djw10

    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.

  • To claim that a player's chances of Lions selection are not impacted by whether or not he is first pick for his national side is a perverse comment, and I doubt anyone really takes it seriously. Least of all Sam Warburton.

  • As an Aussie, I think the Lions will win the series IF they pick a side on form and a horses for courses basis.
    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.

  • IMO Tipuric should start for the lions on current form as he's the only genuine open side, unless Armitage is considered. O'Brien and Robshaw will be good options for their versatility. I've never been that impressed with Warburton and struggle to see what he offers.

  • Ridiculous article. A long way ago to Lions selection. The backrow is highly competitive and no player in those positions is yet guaranteed to be picked. Lydiate and Ferris could also muddy the waters, and WG may be tempted to have at least one player not worn out by a long season. I don't think the captain will come from the backrow, because of the securing his test place issue.

  • The autumn and 6 nations to date have really shown that Warburton cant perform without a work horse on the blind side doing all his tackling, which leaves him free to poach ball. IMO it was lydiate making Warburton look good last year.

    Lions Captain has to be BOD. Experienced captain in great form at the min.

  • there really is only one obvious choice for captain, he has respect of all players from all nations, BOD, and another one from (War / Rob / another forward)
    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

  • 97. I Can't see why Robshaw would be a decent captain.. end of Ireland game he told the referee and then O.Farrel argued his desicion like he did againt the aussies... He is not strong enough to be captain. I dont think SW or Robshaw deserve to start really there has been no outstanding players so far.... all to play for the 7 top

  • YAWN!! I read these posts and the Irish Posters want an Irish backrow, The Welsh want a Welsh one and the English.......
    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

  • @82 Think the only person who looks to have a guaranteed starting place is Best and that is only down to the fact that there is no one else in his position pushing him.

    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.

  • So many biased opinons on this from all quarters. Lets hope that whoever goes on this tour they are picked because they deserve their place. Lets hope they are not picked due to pre-conception past glories, or certainly not the opinions of some of the ludicrous biased supporters views.
    Pick the best players on form , that means fit not half cooked , doesn't matter where they are from . Grow up.

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