‘Sam Warburton won’t be ready for first Test’

Dubai: Rugby pundit and former British and Irish Lions centre Scott Gibbs has backed Lions flanker Justin Tipuric to start the first Test against Australia on Saturday ahead of captain Sam Warburton.

Welshman Gibbs, 42, who won five Lions caps between 1993 and 2001, said of Warburton: “He will certainly figure in this Test series but he’s definitely undercooked and hasn’t had a lot of rugby minutes.

“The Lions is the sum of its parts and, while Warburton has been nominated the captain, [Lions coach] Warren Gatland has to deliver a series win even if he upsets people along the way.

“I don’t think Warburton will be picked for the first Test, but that’s not going to upset his rhythm because he knows he will figure later down the track.”

Gibbs, speaking on the sidelines of OSN Showtime’s Lions Tour coverage launch at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel here, added: “I think Warburton has an array of skills but he’s not Willy John McBride, Marvin Johnson or a Lawrence Dallaglio figure, where his leadership can carry you through a game.

“He has to lead by example and he hasn’t. We haven’t seen the same Warburton that we saw at the World Cup. His form has been missing since then and to resurrect that now will take a miracle. He has to reaffirm his position as the best No.7 in the northern hemisphere, but also the captain of the Lions.”

Of fellow Welshman Tipuric, Gibbs said: “He’s in marvellous form and, if any position in the field requires rhythm and momentum, it’s that breakaway openside flanker.

“For me Tipuric was the unsung hero of last season and he cannot do any wrong at the moment. He has zero defects and has the potential to be the man of the series given the opportunity.”