For the first time in almost two years, Sam Warburton will start an RBS 6 Nations Test match and not be Wales captain.
For the first time in almost two years, Sam Warburton will start an RBS 6 Nations Test match and not be Wales captain.
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Staff Writer
The flanker will line up against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, with his back-row colleague Ryan Jones leading out the side after having helped orchestrate back-to-back away victories over France and Italy.
Rob Howley, the Wales coach, admitted that Warburton, who is seven years Jones' junior and has won exactly half of his 72 caps, was left "disappointed" by the decision. However, the 2011 World Cup captain, who led Wales to the grand slam last season, has dismissed any notion of it affecting him. "My focus right now is making sure I do myself justice and playing well at the weekend," he said after regaining the No.7 shirt from Justin Tipuric. "Getting the captaincy back won't be a motivating factor."
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