Gatland tips young leader Warburton to make big impact

Wales coach Warren Gatland has tipped history-maker Sam Warburton to leave a lasting impression on the World Cup. Warburton will become the youngest World Cup captain, aged 22 years and 341 days, when he leads Wales into battle against Pool D favourites South Africa tomorrow.

It gives the Cardiff Blues flanker an immediate opportunity to test himself against one of the world’s best opensides in South African Heinrich Brussow. And Gatland believes his skipper will win an army of new admirers when they witness the form that has impressed European audiences over the past 12 months. “There are three definite what I consider world-class [openside] players at the moment in terms of [David] Pocock, [Richie] McCaw and Brussow,” said Gatland.

“And I would rate Sam in that category as well. A lot of people haven’t seen a lot of Sam Warburton, but I think he will create an impact after a few games in this World Cup.”

Wales: J Hook; G North, J Davies, J Roberts, Shane Williams; R Priestland, M Phillips; P Jame, H Bennett, A Jones, L Charteris, A-W Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton (capt), T Faletau. Subs: L Burns, R Bevington, B Davies, A Powell, T Knoyle, Scott Williams, L Halfpenny.

South Africa: F Steyn, JP Pietersen, J Fourie, J de Villers, B Habana, M Steyn, F Du Preez; P Spies, S Burger, H Brussow, V Matfield, D Rossouw, J Du Plessis, J Smit, T Mtawarira. Subs: B Du Plessis, G Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, J Muller, W Alberts, F Hougaard, B James.