Jump to main content
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag

Warburton wary of favourites’ tag

Welsh skipper Sam Warburton reckons Wales’ favourites tag will spur on England when the two teams meet at Twickenham Stadium in Round 3 of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations on Saturday, February 25.

Share this page:

The Wales captain missed last weekend’s victory over Scotland with a dead leg, but is now winning his battle to regain fitness in time to lead out Wales as they chase the Triple Crown.

England are also unbeaten after the opening two rounds have secured away wins in Scotland and Italy.

DFP – Leaderboard

But Wales have been installed as firm favourites among the media with former Welsh outside half and captain Jonathan Davies even claiming on the BBC that he expects the Welsh pack to “smash” England.

Warburton, however, is refusing to listen to any of the pre-match the hype and firmly believes it will only provide further motivation for opposite number Chris Robshaw’s side

“If I was England I would be quite cheesed off by those sorts of comments. They’ve also won two out of two and have a home game – they will be more than confident,” said Warburton.

“It’s nice to get the favourites tag, but I was hoping people wouldn’t get carried away. We look at things one game at a time and we all know you never go to Twickenham and face an easy England side.

“England know it’s just one pundit’s views and none of our players would say that because we know how tough it will be. We’ll look forward to the game, but I’m not too sure about running over the English pack!”

Warburton led out Wales on their last trip to Twickenham in the pre-World Cup warm-up match last summer and says the squad will travel full of confidence. George North, Ryan Jones, Huw Bennett and Matthew Rees are all expected to join him in winning their fitness battles and Ospreys skipper Alun Wyn Jones could also come into the selection reckoning if he comes through Friday night’s RABODirect PRO12 clash with Aironi.

“It would be disappointing and a big blow if we lost at Twickenham. That’s going to motivate us and everyone will be busting a gut to make sure we get the win and secure the Triple Crown,” said Warburton.

“To win the Triple Crown would be brilliant and we haven’t reached anywhere near our potential so far this campaign. Growing up I never beat England and it was one of my best achievements to lead Wales to victory at the Millennium Stadium in the summer.

“The next step is to go into England’s back yard and do it again – that would be very sweet.”
 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Heineken
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
The Indigo Group
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Princes Gate
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Nocco
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
Warburton wary of favourites’ tag