Revitalised Warburton ready for a new battle

IT was the image of the World Cup: Sam Warburton peering down helplessly as Vincent Clerc fell dangerously back to earth following the Welsh captain’s tackle.

Alain Rolland’s red card was bitterly disputed after the event but it was, as Warburton has admitted, the correct decision.

Wales’ World Cup dream was at an end without their captain as France, clearly second-best even against 14 men, won the semi-final 9-8. So it was that Warburton found himself in the dressing room at Eden Park wondering if he would return to Cardiff an outcast, accused of letting his country down.