SAM WARBURTON TO LEAD BRITISH LIONS (SQUAD NAMED)

British and Irish Lions 2017: Sam Warburton captain for New Zealand tour
BBC Sport


Sam Warburton led the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2013, playing in two of the three Tests
Wales back row Sam Warburton will captain the British and Irish Lions on the tour of New Zealand this summer.

The 28-year-old former Wales skipper also led the Lions in the series victory over Australia in 2013.

He is only the second player, after former England forward Martin Johnson, to captain the Lions in two tours.

Warburton stepped down as Wales captain before the 2017 Six Nations and was replaced by lock Alun Wyn Jones, who also took over when Warburton was injured for the third Lions Test four years ago.

England captain Dylan Hartley is expected to miss out on selection despite leading his side to a second straight Six Nations title this year.

Hartley's compatriot Jamie George, Ireland's Rory Best, and Wales' Ken Owens are expected to fill the three hooker berths.

If his omission is confirmed, Hartley will become the third England captain in succession to miss out on Lions selection, after Steve Borthwick in 2009 and Chris Robshaw in 2013.

Six Nations winners Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Mike Brown are also in danger of missing out.

Scotland's representation is likely to be limited to full-back Stuart Hogg, and one of Tommy Seymour or Sean Maitland on the wing.

I appreciate some will say "This is a football Forum" but this is big sporting news for Cardiff and Wales, as Sam Warburton is 'one of our own'

British and Irish Lions Squad 2017


Forwards:

Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Peter O'Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Billy Vunipola (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales - Captain)

Backs:

Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), George North (Wales), Jack Nowell (England), Jared Payne (Ireland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Ben Te'o (England), Anthony Watson (England), Rhys Webb (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Ben Youngs (England)

I appreciate some will say "This is a football Forum" but this is big sporting news for Cardiff and Wales, as Sam Warburton is 'one of our own'

Totally agree, well done Sam.

Not a huge rugby fan but do enjoy watching the Lions...tough ask to win in New Zealand but this maybe our best chance in a long long time

Anything that pisses the English off gets my vote

Anything that pisses the English off gets my vote

Facebook went into meltdown when Sam's captaincy was announced!

No bitterness at all, of course!

Anything that pisses the English off gets my vote

Facebook went into meltdown when Sam's captaincy was announced!

No bitterness at all, of course!

Have a look at the comments on BBC sport article
If any other nation was spoken about like they allow on there it would lead to uproar.
Bitter English - my favourite flavour!

Always on the cards that there would a few welsh players , but just 2 Scottish players

Anything that pisses the English off gets my vote

Facebook went into meltdown when Sam's captaincy was announced!

No bitterness at all, of course!

Have a look at the comments on BBC sport article
If any other nation was spoken about like they allow on there it would lead to uproar.
Bitter English - my favourite flavour!

That's where I saw most of the comments (via Facebook)