British & Irish Lions
Williams latest to cast doubt on Warburton
ESPN Staff
April 27, 2013
Wales' Sam Warburton shows off his Man of the Match award, Scotland v Wales, Six Nations, Murrayfield, Scotland, March 9, 2013
One leading bookmaker has stopped taking bets on Sam Warburton being named the British & Irish Lions' captain © PA Photos
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Former Wales captain Martyn Williams has become the latest to question whether Sam Warburton is the right man to lead the British & Irish Lions to Australia this summer.

One leading bookmaker has stopped taking bets on Warburton being named skipper when coach Warren Gatland announces his squad on Tuesday but there remains some doubt about his credentials with Lions legend Jeremy Guscott recently claiming that 24-year-old is 'not ready' for the honour.

His sentiments have now been echoed by Williams - a former Lions himself ad Warburton's former mentor at PRO12 side Cardiff Blues. "Until you go on a Lions tour you can't understand what it's like. The magnitude of it and the hype, it just knocks you for six," he told The Rugby Paper.

"It will be difficult for Sam because not only is it his first tour, but he is thrust in as captain as well. I would have gone with Brian O'Driscoll and if not Brian, Paul O'Connell because they have been there and done it."

However, he has no doubt that Warburton would rise to the challenge should he be confirmed as captain. "There's no doubt that he can do the job. He has an old head on young shoulders, has achieved so much as Wales captain and has that relationship with Warren and Rob Howley. And there's no doubt that he will have the respect of all the players touring."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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