Wednesday 29 March 2017 11:55, UK
Wales flanker Sam Warburton has insisted he is not focusing on any British and Irish Lions captaincy talk, and would be content at this stage for a place in the squad.
Warburton led the Lions on their victorious 2013 tour of Australia, but did not captain Wales during the most recent Six Nations with the armband handed to Alun Wyn Jones.
The 28-year-old Cardiff Blues backrower went on to establish himself as one of the tournament's top performers and Lions coach Warren Gatland has since confirmed Warburton remains in consideration for the role.
The Blues next face Gloucester in their Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD, and ahead of that tie Warburton dodged all questions over the Lions leadership, insisting he'd be happy with a mere squad place.
"I'd love to be in that [Lions] squad and I can't look past further than that," said Warburton. "There's so much competition in the squad.
"I would love to go on tour and I've always respected the players who have gone on multiple Lions tours and that's something I'd love and try and do."
The Lions will face the All Blacks in three Test matches and play five matches against Super Rugby teams, in addition to fixtures against the Maori All Blacks and New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on the 10 game tour to be played from June 3 to July 8.
Warburton became the first Welsh captain for the Lions since 1977 when he led the side to a 2-1 series victory over Australia in 2013, but missed the final Test due to a hamstring injury.
The Lions squad will be announced on April 19, and though Gatland stressed that there is too much of an obsession placed on the captaincy, he revealed live on Sky Sports News HQ that Warburton, Saracens back Owen Farrell and England captain Dylan Hartley were all in the equation.
Ireland skipper Rory Best has also been mentioned, as has Alun Wyn Jones.
"Fans, pundits, media are all talking about it but I haven't had a single conversation about that," Warburton added.
"You just know that's part and parcel of playing international rugby. It's a compliment but it's something I'm not thinking about."
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3.
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