SAM Warburton has received a glowing endorsement of his captaincy credentials prior to the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour.
Wales flanker Warburton, who is carrying a slight knee injury, is the Lions' fifth-youngest skipper in their 125-year history and former Lions skipper Gavin Hastings is excited about his appointment.
Ahead of Saturday's tour opener against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, Lions head coach Warren Gatland today announced a starting line-up dominated by Wales players as the serious business begins prior to nine games in Australia, including three Test matches.
And Hastings, who played a starring role during a 2-1 Test series triumph against the Wallabies in 1989, believes Gatland has got his choice of leader spot-on.
"He (Warburton) is a guy that played very, very well at the end of the Six Nations, and on his day he is as good a rugby player as any on these shores," Hastings said
"There is no doubting that he is a quality player. I think he has huge respect among his Wales team-mates. I met the guy once, just after the (2011) Rugby World Cup, and I was very, very impressed with him.
"He is a young man, but he's got a huge amount of experience and I think that he will know how to get the best out of the players and will certainly lead by example.
"As far as I am concerned he is a good choice as captain."
While the Lions will not take the Barbarians lightly, their biggest challenge on Saturday could be coping with Hong Kong's heat and humidity.
Evening temperatures are currently 27C, cooling just five degrees from day time, with humidity levels touching 90 per cent.
"The heat is going to take its toll and the stress they will be under will be huge, but that is something that will benefit us when we get to Australia," said assistant coach Rob Howley.
"The players might not feel like that about it this weekend, but it will put their decision-making under pressure as well, which is good for us."
