Warburton happy to accept early tour defeat as he eyes Test series win

Sam Warburton would happily accept an early tour defeat or two for his British & Irish Lions if it meant the tourists could win their Test series with the All Blacks, writes Simon Lewis, Auckland.

The Lions will kick off their 10-match tour of New Zealand in Whangarei on Saturday against the NZ Provincial Barbarians with captain Warburton eager to be involved from the start as he makes his comeback frm a knee injury that has kept the Welshman sidelined since April 7.