23 May 2017

Warburton cleared for Lions tour

9:21 am on 23 May 2017

British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has declared himself fully fit for the tour to New Zealand next month after recovering from a knee injury.

Wales captain Sam Warburton.

Wales captain Sam Warburton. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Wales flanker has not played since sustaining the injury against Ulster in the Pro12 on 7 April.

"Today I trained fully," Warburton said, adding: "That's all the boxes ticked, and now I can crack on."

Meanwhile, head coach Warren Gatland said he expects to lose between six and 10 players to injury on the tour.

The tourists have already lost England number eight Billy Vunipola because of a shoulder injury, while fellow countryman and scrum-half Ben Youngs withdrew from the Lions squad at the start of May after his brother's wife learned that she is terminally ill.

Wales hooker Ken Owens will miss Scarlets' Pro12 final against Munster on Saturday because of an ankle injury.

Ireland prop Jack McGrath is also a concern because of an arm injury, as are Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb (groin) and Ireland back-row Sean O'Brien (calf).

-BBC