Sam Warburton backs England star to be named next Lions captain

Thursday, 22 February 2018 at 16:49

bySteven Smith

Sam Warburton has backed an Englishman to take over his role as British & Irish Lions captain when they tour South Africa in 2021.

It means the Lions will likely pick a new skipper and Warburton believes 28-year-old Farrell and 25-year-old Itoje are his favourites for the armband.

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“There are the obvious guys who come to mind, Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje, and they’ll definitely both be around in 2021,” he added.

“Owen will be 29 or 30 around then and for a number ten, a decision maker, it’s a great age. He’ll be one of the most experienced players in world rugby at that point.

“Those two guys from an English point of view stand out. If I had to predict it now, one of those two would do a brilliant job.”

UPDATED | British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV, according to the bookies

Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)

Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)

Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)

Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)

Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)

Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)

Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)

Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)

Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)

Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)

Fly-half: OWEN FARRELL (England 1/25)

Other contenders: Johnny Sexton (Ireland 1/2), Dan Biggar (Wales 8/15), Finn Russell (Scotland 3/1), Marcus Smith (England 8/1)

Scrum-half: CONOR MURRAY (Ireland 4/6)

Other contenders: Tomos Williams (Wales 5/4), Ben Youngs (England 6/4), Ali Price (Scotland 2/1)

Looshead-prop: MAKO VUNIPOLA (England 4/6)

Other contenders: Ellis Genge (England 1/3), Cian Healy (Ireland 5/6), Joe Marler (England 5/2)

Hooker: JAMIE GEORGE (England 1/10)

Other contenders: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England 4/6), Ken Owens (Wales 7/4), Stuart McInally (Scotland 7/2)

Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland 1/15)

Other contenders: Kyle Sinckler (England 1/5), Tomas Francis (Wales 11/8), Harry Williams (England 5/1)

Lock: MATO ITOJE (England 1/10)

Other contenders: James Ryan (Ireland 1/5), Jonny Gray (Scotland 8/11)

Lock: ALUN WYN JONES (Wales 1/5)

Other contenders: Iain Henderson (Ireland 4/6), Courtney Lawes (England 5/4), George Kruis (England 7/2), Jean Kleyn (Ireland 33/1), Richie Gray (Scotland 5/1)