Sam Warburton names his SIX 'guaranteed' Lions STARTERS - Ruck

Sam Warburton names his SIX ‘guaranteed’ Lions STARTERS

Rugby legend Sam Warburton has been talking about his SIX guaranteed British & Irish Lions starters, including his captain.

England and Saracens forward Maro Itoje has been backed to lead the British and Irish Lions against South Africa this summer by the man who captained the side on the last two tours.

Warburton, who led the Lions to victory in Australia in 2013 and to a drawn series with New Zealand in 2017, says being captain of the party would “just suit” Itoje.

Sam Warburton was speaking as Canterbury launched the British & Irish Lions Test Jersey. Get yours from www.canterbury.com

#1. Maro Itoje (England)

WARBURTON SAID: “I was so impressed with him in 2017, I would follow him into battle.  I think Maro is a shoo-in, and I think James Ryan and Alun Wyn will battle it out for the number five shirt.

“I know people will think [Itoje] is under-cooked, and hasn’t played much, and gave away a load of penalties [in the Six Nations], but he still had a big influence on those games.”

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