Wales won't comment on reports Sam Warburton to relinquish captaincy
Wednesday 11 January 2017 17:33, UK
The Welsh Rugby Union are refusing to comment on reports that Sam Warburton may step down as Wales captain.
Interim head coach Rob Howley will name his squad for the upcoming Six Nations on January 17 and a captain will be named at the same time.
Reports emerged on Wednesday claiming Warburton was close to stepping down, with Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones a possible candidate to replace him.
However, Sky Sports News HQ understands that Warburton, who has captained Wales on 49 occasions, is not considering relinquishing the role.
The 28-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker was handed the captaincy in 2011 and led Wales to the semi-finals of that year's World Cup but was sent off early on in their defeat to France.
He led Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012 before winning the championship the following year and also captained the successful 2013 Lions tour of Australia, playing in the first two Tests before missing the decider due to injury.
Warburton missed two of Wales' four autumn internationals in November through injury.
Wales start their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 5.
