Sam Warburton to captain British & Irish Lions on tour to New Zealand
Dylan Hartley biggest casualty with no room for the England skipper in Warren Gatland’s 41-man squad
Sam Warburton will captain the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand but there was no place in the 41-man squad for England skipper Dylan Hartley.
Wales back-rower Warburton, 28, who skippered the combined side on their victorious 2013 tour of Australia, becomes just the second man after England great Martin Johnson (1997 and 2001) to lead the Lions on two tours.
In contrast, New Zealand-born hooker Hartley is the biggest casualty and the third successive England skipper to miss out on Lions selection after Steve Borthwick and Chris Robshaw.
New Zealand-born Lions coach Warren Gatland – who called it “the toughest tour” – gave surprise call-ups on Wednesday to Ireland fullback Jared Payne – also born in New Zealand – England wing Jack Nowell and Wales back-rower Ross Moriarty.
But he is expected to be fit before the squad departs on May 29 for a tour that will feature a three-test series against world champions New Zealand.