World class Warburton is Lions material
THE INSPIRATIONAL performance of Wales captain Sam Warburton in his side’s victory over England on Saturday was reminiscent of New Zealand great Richie McCaw in his prime, according to British and Irish Lions manager Andy Irvine.
Warburton (right), the favourite to lead the Lions on next year’s tour of Australia, capped a sensational performance with a stunning first-half try-saving tackle on Manu Tuilagi.
Wales went on to secure the Triple Crown with a 19-12 win at Twickenham, only their third in 24 years, and Irvine felt that with his man-of-the-match performance Warburton cemented his position as one of the world’s premier No7s alongside the All Blacks’ World Cup-winning skipper McCaw and Australia’s David Pocock.
Irvine said “Warburton was brilliant, with his defensive work and how clever he is at the breakdown. He is the northern hemisphere’s Richie McCaw.
“I thought Sam was outstanding, especially for a guy who has been out injured recently.”