Six Nations: England 12 - 19: Welsh clinch Triple Crown at Twickenham

Warburton underlined his credentials to lead the Lions in Australia next year by spearheading Wales’ first Triple Crown triumph since 2008.

Wales’ 19-12 victory over England at Twickenham means they are in pole position to win the RBS Six Nations title race next month, with their final two games both at home against Italy and France. And 23-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton appears an overwhelming favourite to land one of rugby’s most coveted jobs for a tour highlighted by three Tests against the Wallabies.

Scottish rugby legend Irvine was at Twickenham to watch Warburton’s latest back-row masterclass, and then gave his verdict on a player who confirmed his current status among the top three number sevens alongside New Zealand’s World Cup-winning skipper McCaw and Wallabies openside David Pocock.

“I thought Warburton was outstanding, especially for a guy who has been out injured recently,” Irvine said. “He was brilliant, with his defensive work and how clever he is at the breakdown. He is the northern hemisphere’s Richie McCaw.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland is a clear favourite to run the Lions playing operation Down Under, but although Irvine would not comment on intense speculation surrounding the New Zealander, he left London enthused after a gripping encounter when several players put their hands up as potential Lions.

“It took a hell of a performance from Wales in the end to win it, so credit to both sides,” he added. “That is a huge Welsh back division, but what I like about them is they are good rugby players. Sometimes, big men tend to be a wee bit slow, but not these guys. I thought George North was absolutely outstanding, he hardly made a mistake. He has got movement and a lot of class, and, at the other end of the spectrum, Leigh Halfpenny was a revelation.

“He makes a lot of the right decisions, he’s quick and is a good all-round rugby player. It was a huge physical contest, the collisions were really intense.”

Irvine also had praise for England, who suffered a first defeat under interim head coach Stuart Lancaster, but took World Cup semi-finalists Wales to the wire before substitute Scott Williams’ breakaway try broke them.

“I am delighted with the way England stood up,” Irvine said. “They lost, but it was by far the best they’ve played in the tournament. It is good for the Lions when you see a game of that calibre.

“Two or three of them really put their hand up, which was great to see. Owen Farrell showed a lot of maturity and he can be very pleased with his performance. In fairness to Stuart Lancaster, he has done a super job.”

Meanwhile, Halfpenny has admitted that memories of his punishing role in Wales’ dramatic Triple Crown triumph are all “a bit of a blur”. England tried everything to hit back and the closing minutes were packed with controversy.

Referee Walsh failed to award England a penalty when George North, under pressure from David Strettle, deliberately tapped Toby Flood’s cross-kick into touch.

On the final play of the game, with referee Walsh playing advantage, Strettle crashed over the line and insists he grounded the ball one-handed but the footage was not clear.

Strettle wanted referee Walsh to go back for the penalty but, under Law 8.4 (f), England’s advantage was over when the ball went dead.

Wales full-back Halfpenny kicked 14 of his country’s 19 points, but his most significant contribution came during those dying seconds when he helped deny Strettle. Halfpenny’s initial tackle on the England and Saracens wing left him dazed, before centre Jonathan Davies completed a heroic defensive job and stopped Strettle from touching down. “I took a bump to the head and I was pretty dazed. I think I put my head between his knees – I tried to do anything I could to bring him down,” Halfpenny said. “The [Wales] physio said it was no try and that we had won. It was all a bit of a blur.

“I was allowed to come back out on the pitch to see Sam [Warburton] lift the trophy, and that is the first thing I remember. It certainly sunk in when I saw Sam lift the trophy.”

Wales could not celebrate until television match official, Scotsman Iain Ramage, ruled in their favour, and Halfpenny agreed with assessments that it was probably the most important tackle he had made.

“I didn’t manage to quite get hold of him, but I did enough to put him off his stride,” he added. “Shaun Edwards [Wales defence coach] is a very passionate coach who demands the highest quality of his players. His enthusiasm and passion in defence comes out, and that is what came out in the game - do anything to keep them out.”

Halfpenny, the smallest member of Wales’ king-sized back division, is playing a giant role in the quest for this season’s RBS Six Nations title and a possible Grand Slam. He has scored 44 of Wales’ 69 points to date, including two tries, after taking over goal-kicking duties from a misfiring Rhys Priestland in Dublin three weeks ago. “Three wins out of three is what we set out to achieve, and now we are really looking forward to going back home against Italy,” he said.

“Our aim has been to win every game and to win the Grand Slam. At the moment, we are on target for that.

“The World Cup has made us a stronger unit. We were incredibly disappointed after that semi-final defeat against France, but the boys got together and it has really bonded us.

“The character of a team is how you get back up and put things right.

“We were all devastated after the France defeat. Players were in tears, but there were boys going around picking each other up.

“You encourage each other, but everyone believes in every individual around them that they will do their job correctly. We have that trust, that belief and that confidence. We are such a tight unit.”