Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has warned Warren Gatland against naming Sam Warburton as his Lions captain next week.
Barnes claimed they will “stand no chance” of beating New Zealand if the Welshman gets the nod
“Sam Warburton’s six-week layoff isn’t the worry. It’s the ever-growing rumour that Warren Gatland will appoint him Lions captain this summer.” wrote Barnes
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“Warburton is a fine player. A good man. These are not the issues. It is the nature of his game.
“He will defend until the last man drops in New Zealand. But more will be needed against the best team in the world. And Warburton doesn’t possess that extra ingredient.
“The Lions will not beat a team as good as New Zealand by making a thousand tackles. The higher the tackling stats, the greater the margin of defeat.
“Warburton is not a natural with the ball in hand, not a comfortable ball carrier,”
“The more the Tests play to the significant strengths of the Cardiff Blues man’s game, the more it is likely to guarantee victory for New Zealand.”