British and Irish Lions legend Gareth Edwards has backed Sam Warburton to lead the touring side against Australia in 2013.
One of the star players on the 1971 tour to New Zealand and 1974 tour to South Africa, Edwards is regarded as one of the greatest players ever to have worn the red jersey.
Despite a dismal November International period for Wales, the former scrum-half believes that Warburton can recapture his form and lead the Lions in Australia ahead of other candidates such as Chris Robshaw and Brian O'Driscoll.
"If Sam can recapture the form he showed 12 months ago he'd be my choice, but should England build on that win over New Zealand Chris must come under consideration," said Edwards to the Daily Mirror.
"He's playing well, he's proved his ability against the very best and beating the All Blacks will have given England a tremendous amount of confidence.
"It has shown what this England team is capable of. England are very much the ones to watch in the Six Nations.
"I'm a big fan of Robshaw. I like the way he's playing and I think he captained England particularly well. That win over New Zealand highlighted his capability, without any question.
"Equally, there's no doubt Sam at his best would be a fine leader - but it's been a tough autumn for Wales, who I thought looked somewhat jaded.
"Sam, I feel, is coming into a bit of form, but much depends on the Six Nations. Warren picks on form - not on reputation."
Comments
melkdave says...
Has Edwards suddenly gone senile Warburton wont even be on the plane ,given his present form ,let alone captain .Even a inform Warburton wouldnt be a cert for the tour and has no chance as captain ,his just not a good one full stop.Utter codswallop from a past legend imo.But then his only saying it imo ,so welsh fans have something to hope for atm,given just how poor their year has turned out to be .
Posted 00:43 20th December 2012
5Lock4ward says...
I think it should be a real British chap like Manusamoa Tuilagi. Perhaps Moritz Botha or Thomas Waldrom. Even Dylan Hartley or Richardt Strauss. Why not Mako Vunipola?
Posted 18:13 19th December 2012
heart_of_oak says...
I've got a lot of respect for Gareth Edwards - one of the best players I've ever seen. But on this he is wrong - for now. A very good 6N might see Warburton selected but on current form, there are alot of better players in front of Warburton.
If BoD is fit, he's a better captain but Robshaw is also in with a shout.
Posted 17:08 19th December 2012
99call says...
Sorry Gareth but Warburton is not a good captain, he looked good in the 6N and the RWC when the side was playing well but the sign of a good captain is how does he deal with a situation when things are going wrong and they couldnt have gone much more wrong than they did in the Autumn series.
He should have been reading the riot act at the team when they were getting beaten by so called lesser sides but he just stood there obviously more worried about how he was playing than taking on his responsibilites as captain.
There are far better proven captains out the in BOD, Robshaw, Best, POC. I dont think he should even be captain of wales when youve got the like of AW Jones and M Rees there.
So sorry Gareth take your red welsh tinted specs off and admit that when on form hes a great player but hes not a great captain, well not at this time maybe in a few years
Posted 14:28 19th December 2012
daibok says...
As things stand I think Gareth has more chance than Sam of making captain. Let's see what the 6N produces.
Posted 14:24 19th December 2012