Tuesday 18 April 2017 08:56, UK
Will Greenwood says Wales flanker Sam Warburton's injury will not put his place on the British and Irish Lions tour at risk.
Warburton is facing approximately six weeks on the sidelines after picking up a medial ligament strain in his knee playing for Cardiff Blues during their 24-24 draw against Ulster in Belfast, with Lions coach Warren Gatland set to name his squad and captain on Wednesday.
Despite the lay-off, three-time Lions tourist Greenwood does not think it would be a risk to pick 28-year-old Warburton as part of the squad, or as tour captain, for the Lions' five-week tour to New Zealand in June and July, and actually thinks it could help in some way.
"The injury is not a risk," Greenwood told Sky Sports News HQ. "You could look upon this injury as a blessing in disguise, and that may sound a perverse way of looking at it, because it removes him from the rest of the Pro12 with Cardiff.
"They're not fighting for the top four, they're out of the Challenge Cup, so there are games to be played but not necessarily of real relevance to Lions chances.
"Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out for six weeks straight after the French game, those two big characters will travel with the Lions and have inadvertently picked up a nice four to six week holiday.
"They'll land in New Zealand ready and raring to go, so I don't think it's a risk in terms of him [Warburton] being named one of the touring parties.
"As a captain, I think six or seven weeks ago before the Six Nations it could have been a risk to name Warburton, with CJ Stander playing so well, Billy Vunipola, Peter O'Mahony, [James] Haskell's great season in 2016, [Justin] Tirpuric, you might have been worried about his starting position, but he's silenced all the doubters with his form in the Six Nations.
"He can play six or seven and was magnificent in the Six Nations. He might not necessarily be my choice as captain but once he is picked I think everyone would get behind him and say, 'fantastic choice, quality player, great ambassador, great leader, experienced'.
"He's an incredible young man and would be someone that everyone could rally behind. If he's fit to go I would imagine Gatland would have his man. You want a level of consistency."
Another area of debate is Warren Gatland's selection at hooker, with Greenwood saying it will come down to a decision between England pair Dylan Hartley and Jamie George, with the former England centre backing Hartley for the tour spot.
"I think Ken Owens was the best hooker in the Six Nations," Greenwood added. "Rory Best put in a tremendous performance against England on March 18, so it's probably between those guys [Hartley and George].
"For all his foibles and the issues that have surrounded Dylan Hartley, I think he's been the focal point for England and probably with that might get the nod but you can absolutely understand why Jamie George might get picked. There's so many tight calls across the park."
Watch Warren Gatland announce his Lions captain and squad on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports News HQ.
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3.
