Six Nations: Battle of back-rows at Murrayfield

Published on 06/03/2013 12:00

Wales star Sam Warburton is ready to concentrate on “the big job” of subduing Scotland’s back row at Murrayfield this weekend.

Warburton has insisted that regaining the Wales captaincy will not be a personal motivating factor on Saturday, despite starting an RBS 6 Nations Test match for the first time in 
almost two years with a 
team-mate skippering the side.

That duty remains with his back-row colleague Ryan Jones – as it will for next week’s England clash, barring injury or loss of form – after he helped orchestrate back-to-back 
away victories over France and Italy.

Warburton, though, is adamant he will not be distracted from his role of trying to keep Wales in title contention through collecting a third successive away win during this season’s tournament.

“The Scottish back row is very big and physical, so maybe that has influenced the decision to play me at seven,” said Warburton, who has replaced Justin Tipuric after recovering from a shoulder injury.

“That is a challenge I really enjoy. Every time we play Scotland a focal point is always the battle of the back rows because theirs is so good.”