Warburton picked out as man to lead Gatland’s Lions from front

The high praise came from assistant coach Neil Jenkins, who was a member of the 1997 Lions squad that Johnson captained to a series win against South Africa, the last victorious tour.

Warburton will lead a 37-man squad on a 10-match tour of Hong Kong and Australia this summer, culminating in a three-Test series against the Wallabies.

Jenkins said: “He most definitely reminds me a lot of Johnno in terms of the way he plays and goes about things.

“The people who did the most talking in 1997 were probably Lawrence Dallaglio and Scott Gibbs. You followed Johnno for how he played the game, an incredible player and Sam reminds me of Johnno in that regard and the way he goes about his captaincy.”

Warburton captained Wales to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup and then to grand slam glory in 2012.

After being injured for the start of this season’s Six Nations, Warburton starred in the victories over Scotland and England as Wales retained the title.

Warburton and Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley agreed at the time that Ryan Jones should continue as captain for the remainder of the championship, following the impressive job that he had done.

But Howley, also the Lions backs coach, insisted Warburton is the right man to lead the squad Down Under.

“The two situations are different,’’ said Howley.

“The scenario for us with Wales was that Sam had been out with an injury. We never questioned Sam’s captaincy ability. It was a case of suiting Wales at that time and suiting Sam.

“Sam Warburton is a fantastic captain, he has integrity, he leads from the front and he deserves this accolade.

“He has a very good working relationship with Warren Gatland. That is key. I am delighted for him. I think he will do a fantastic job.’’

Howley also described Warburton as “one of the best sevens in world rugby” and the Lions are acutely aware of the need to match Australia in the breakdown battle.

The way Australia performed against England at Twickenham last November was key to their open-side flanker selections, with Justin Tipuric and Sean O’Brien picked alongside Warburton.

That meant there was no room in the squad for England captain Chris Robshaw, who was out-played by Michael Hooper that day, or Scotland’s captain Kelly Brown.

Lions and England forwards coach Graham Rowntree admitted his phone call to Robshaw would be the toughest of them all, although he is next in line for a call-up.

“That is one area we have to get right,’’ said Rowntree.

“Australia showed us that in the autumn series. We have picked three players in the seven position to reflect that.

“(Robshaw) is desperately, desperately unlucky. That will be a difficult conversation for me to have later on because he has been exceptional for us.

“I would like to think that if we have an injury we would go straight to Chris.”

The Lions’ need to play a dynamic all-court game against the Wallabies was also integral to the selections of hooker Dylan Hartley ahead of Rory Best plus the Saracens props Mako Vunipola and Matt Stevens.

Stevens, who missed the 2009 Lions tour because he was serving a drugs ban, retired from England duty last summer, but he toured with the Lions in 2005 and Rowntree expects him to make a big impact.

“We have been watching him closely all season. We are happy with his all-game input,’’ added Rowntree.

“Obviously he is a tight-head prop and his primary role is set piece, but he gives us more around the field.

“What we have to do in Australia is play and more importantly stop them playing.

“Matt as a package has played well this season.

“I have seen Mako up close all season and watching the kid develop you can’t argue with the points of difference he brings to the game.

“Mako’s carrying, his dynamic work around the field, off the bench especially, got him in.

“Dylan brings an edge to the game that we need, an aggressive edge.

“He has overstepped the mark a couple of times but he has learned from that.

“Similarly to Matt Stevens, he brings a lot in the loose.”