Sam Warburton is expected to be fit for Wales’ Grand Slam showdown with France in Cardiff at the weekend. Having been around for two of the first three games as Wales tied up the Triple Crown Warburton was missing for this weekend’s 24-3 victory over Italy with a knee injury but is expected to return for their final game of the Championship.
Justin Tipuric proved very capable of filling the hole left by Warburton but the form that the Welsh skipper has shown throughout the Championship so far means that Wales will do all they can to ensure they have a fully fit captain there to lead them out in what will prove to be a massive game for all of Wales.
Robin McBryde, Wales’ forwards coach described the news regarding Warburton as “very heartening”. He went on to describe how the flanker had “been running, albeit in straight lines, this week”. The progress being shown by Warburton is promising, but there is no certainty that he will make it for the Welsh game. McBryde will be in charge of putting Warburton through some “side-stepping and off-line stuff” and judging how his man reacts to the step up.
In the absence of Warburton earlier in the tournament, against Scotland Aaron Shingler was given the 7 shirt for his international debut and along with the impressive performance of Tipuric the strength in depth of the Welsh side is proving to be ever more impressive. The competition throughout the side allows no room for consistency and the impressive showing of the other flankers will keep Warburton on his toes when he does return.
Wales are keen to emphasise that they have ample cover for Warburton if he does not get passed fit for the Grand Slam showdown and it is true they do have a high degree of competence in the seven position. But ask any Welsh fan if who they would rather have in the shirt and there will be only one answer. If Warburton starts the Welsh chances of a Grand Slam will be significantly improved.