Sam Warburton sensationally backtracks on backing Itoje as Lions captain after criticism online
Former Lions captain Sam Warburton has sensationally backtracked on his claim that he thinks Maro Itoje should be the British & Irish Lions captain.
Yesterday, Warburton spoke to the BBC saying that he would back the England and Saracens star as captain of one of the greatest rugby teams ever.
Itoje had a tough Six Nations but came back strong for Saracens against Bedford last weekend in the Championship.
Sam Warburton sensationally went back on his claims today after receiving a lot of pushback on his claims that he would name Itoje captain in his team.
If you believe that Maro Itoje @Saracens and James Ryan @leinsterrugby are the best pair of Test locks, why make Alun-Wyn Jones captain? And why pick Itoje at blindside when you have Tadhg Beirne @Munsterrugby ? https://t.co/NNLnsp5SsU
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) April 22, 2021
Hard to fathom this ‘endorsement’. Really? How would the Lions hope to keep on the pitch given his record. Very odd choice… Maro Itoje backed by Sam Warburton to captain 2021 side https://t.co/G0oDviBoJa
— John Keers (@JohnKeersBL) April 21, 2021
This led the former Wales and Lions captain to sensationally backtrack on these claims.
He instead said that he did not like the question about Lions captains, and instead wanted to focus on the different candidates that would be suitable for the job.
I always dislike being asked for 1 @lionsofficial captain which I think is unfair. The reality is amongst 4 nations we have fantastic candidates in AWJ, Itoje, Farrell, Hogg, Sexton and Owens. Having played with and against, and knowing each off the field – all would be superb 🙌
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) April 22, 2021
