Sam Warburton

Sam Kennedy-Warburton, commonly known as Sam Warburton, was born in Cardiff on the 5th October 1988, as the younger twin to English parents. He was offered a football trial by Cardiff City but he turned it down, instead opting for a career in rugby.
 

In 2009 he made his debut for the Cardiff Blues against Edinburgh and went on to have an excellent debut season during which he put in a man of the match display against Munster. These performances earned him a spot on the Wales summer tour of North America. He made his debut for Wales against USA on the 6th June 2009.

Many people had tipped Warburton to replace the ageing Martyn Williams as Welsh and Blues openside flanker. In January 2010, he was named in the Wales squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament. He started just one game against Italy in the tournament. Disappointingly, Wales finished fourth. 

2011 was a monumental year for the youngster. He scored his first try for Wales against Italy in the Six Nations. Sadly his side were again poor, finishing 4th with 6 points. Warburton was then handed the captain's armband on the 4th June for the Barbarians clash. He was 22 years and 242 days old. He followed this up with a superb showing against England in a World Cup warm-up and in August 2011 he was named captain for the upcoming World Cup, due to Matthew Rees picking up an injury.

Warburton became the youngest ever World Cup captain when his side lost 17-16 to South Africa in the opening fixture of the 2011 World Cup. Warburton inspired Wales to three wins, and they then dispatched Ireland 22-10 in the quarter-finals. He was controversially sent off after 18 minutes in the semi-final against France, and Wales lost the game 8-9. Despite the card, numerous British media sources named him player of the tournament.

Warburton then led Wales to two Six Nations titles in 2012 and 2013. In 2013 he was named captain of the Lions squad to face Australia, making him the youngest Lions captain in history at 24 years of age. 

Warburton led the Lions to a 23-21 victory in the first test in Brisbane, dominating the tackle count with 14, but Warburton's Lions series ended in the next game after he injured his hamstring. The Lions ended up losing that test. Stand-in captain Alun Wyn Jones guided the Lions to victory in the final test, though, and together with Warburton raised the Tom Richards Cup. This was the Lions' first victory since 1997. 

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