POC will help Warburton – Rowntree

Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree has backed captain Sam Warburton to feed off veteran Paul O'Connell's experience on tour.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree has backed Sam Warburton to feed off Paul O'Connell's experience.

Lions captain Warburton will succeed O'Connell, who captained the Lions in South Africa in 2009.

Having made an impressive return from injury for Munster this season, Rowntree believes O'Connell is right in the frame for Test selection and will help Warburton along the way.

“Paul is a class player. I've played with him and coached him. He's what I would call a proven warrior at the highest end of the game,” said Rowntree.

“A Lions series is the highest end of the game. He's been out for a while with injury but his recent performances put him right in the reckoning for selection.

“He's playing well, is a big man, has experience and is very good at giving to other players. He's spoken highly of Sam and will help him.”

Whilst no official reserve list has been publicly discussed, Rowntree admitted a select group were in mind should injuries occur to the squad.

“We have a group of players in our own minds who we'd like to call up in the event of injury, but there's nothing set in stone. It depends on form, fitness, who is available,” added Rowntree.

“But what we have said to those guys, people like Chris Robshaw, is that if people don't go on their national tours like Chris to Argentina with England, then that will not take them out of the reckoning for selection.”

One early injury concern for the Lions coaching staff is Sean O'Brien. The Leinster back-rower is a doubt for this weekend's RaboDirect PRO12 Final, but Rowntree stated that O'Brien's condition has improved.

“It's up to Sean and Leinster whether he plays, but he's a lot better than first thought,” confirmed Rowntree.

“Back row is Sean's best position – he can play in all three positions. He'll be a good impact player and is an exceptional talent.”