Six Nations 2013: Sam Warburton hails Wales early team call for Italy
Sam Warburton has praised interim Wales coach Rob Howley's decision to name his team a week early for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Italy.
Warburton, captain when Wales reached the 2011 World Cup semi-finals and won the Grand Slam in 2012, is expected to be a replacement in Rome.
He missed the 16-6 victory over France because of a shoulder injury.
Sam Warburton - Age: 24
- Debut: v USA, 2009
- Caps: 35
- Captain: 20 times
- Wins as captain: Eight
"It was good when they announced the team early because it has given us extra time to prepare," said Warburton.
"It was quite a smart call and we might as well take advantage of this two-week break in Six Nations games. We have had eight or 10 sessions, rather than maybe three, perhaps.
"It should be one of the best-prepared we have been for a match because we have had that extra time together."
Howley named an unchanged starting line-up that included Ryan Jones continuing as skipper 72 hours after the win in Paris.
Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric replaced Warburton at open-side flanker and he retains his place in the Wales side for the trip to Italy.
Warburton, who was red-hot favourite to be in the British and Irish Lions tour party to Australia before this tournament, is now relegated to fighting for a place on the Wales bench which is expected to be named on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old, who has won 35 Wales caps, admits he has banned talk of the Lions.
Continue reading the main story “You are never going to have a 10 or 12-year career when you are just constantly on the way up.” Sam Warburton Wales Grand Slam captain "I have got enough on my plate at the moment," said Warburton .
"It [Lions selection] is going to be, for any player involved, a special moment. But no-one is mentioning the 'L word'.
"The focus in this Six Nations camp is purely on the next match, and if there was any talk on that, players would be the first ones to give someone a slap in the face."
While the Cardiff Blues flanker has lost the Wales captaincy and his place in the side, he does not believe he has lost form or has struggled with leading the side.
"I have been looking at my games and things and I don't think there are any obvious mistakes," said Warburton.
"If I was slipping off tackles and getting smashed about in the contact area and that, I would be concerned.
"I said to my parents the other day that when things are plain-sailing, Wales are doing well and you get a lot of positive press it's happy days, but you are never going to have a 10 or 12-year career when you are just constantly on the way up.
"Things and blips do happen, and I knew that would happen before maybe people start questioning your form or whatever, but you have got to completely ignore it."
"It was good when they announced the team early because it has given us extra time to prepare," said Warburton.
"It was quite a smart call and we might as well take advantage of this two-week break in Six Nations games. We have had eight or 10 sessions, rather than maybe three, perhaps.
"It should be one of the best-prepared we have been for a match because we have had that extra time together."
Howley named an unchanged starting line-up that included Ryan Jones continuing as skipper 72 hours after the win in Paris.
Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric replaced Warburton at open-side flanker and he retains his place in the Wales side for the trip to Italy.
Warburton, who was red-hot favourite to be in the British and Irish Lions tour party to Australia before this tournament, is now relegated to fighting for a place on the Wales bench which is expected to be named on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old, who has won 35 Wales caps, admits he has banned talk of the Lions.
“You are never going to have a 10 or 12-year career when you are just constantly on the way up.” Sam Warburton Wales Grand Slam captain
"I have got enough on my plate at the moment," said Warburton .
"It [Lions selection] is going to be, for any player involved, a special moment. But no-one is mentioning the 'L word'.
"The focus in this Six Nations camp is purely on the next match, and if there was any talk on that, players would be the first ones to give someone a slap in the face."
While the Cardiff Blues flanker has lost the Wales captaincy and his place in the side, he does not believe he has lost form or has struggled with leading the side.
"I have been looking at my games and things and I don't think there are any obvious mistakes," said Warburton.
"If I was slipping off tackles and getting smashed about in the contact area and that, I would be concerned.
"I said to my parents the other day that when things are plain-sailing, Wales are doing well and you get a lot of positive press it's happy days, but you are never going to have a 10 or 12-year career when you are just constantly on the way up.
"Things and blips do happen, and I knew that would happen before maybe people start questioning your form or whatever, but you have got to completely ignore it."