No Wales return for Warburton

Published: Tuesday, 12. February, 2013 in category Six Nations
Sam Warburton: Must wait to regain his place

Sam Warburton has been made to wait after Wales named an unchanged XV for the RBS Six Nations fixture against Italy in Rome on Saturday week.

Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton missed the 16-6 triumph in Paris after suffering a shoulder injury in the previous weekend's defeat at home to Ireland.

Ospreys flanker Ryan Jones took over the captaincy in Paris with Justin Tipuric filling Warburton's number seven spot, and the performances of the duo mean Warburton will not come back into the starting line-up even if he is fully recovered from his 'stinger' injury.

Interim head coach Rob Howley said: "I have told the players the same XV will start in Italy. I think it is pretty important from a coach's perspective that we reward the players who have gone out on the field.It's What the Players Wear!

"I thought Ryan Jones was outstanding in terms of his leadership and it is a just reward that he captains the side against Italy."