5 May 2016

Warburton should be right to tour New Zealand

11:39 am on 5 May 2016

Captain Sam Warburton is expected to be fit for Wales' tour to New Zealand next month as it has been revealed his shoulder injury is "short-term."

Wales captain Sam Warburton challenges Fiji wing Metuisela Talebula during their World Cup pool clash at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales captain Sam Warburton challenges Fiji wing Metuisela Talebula during their World Cup pool clash at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Photo: AFP

The British and Irish Lions skipper is having treatment on the right shoulder he injured in Cardiff Blues' Pro12 defeat by Ospreys at the weekend.

Alun Wyn Jones and Samson Lee are also set to be fit to face the All Blacks.

Warburton, who has skippered his country a record 45 times in his 64 Wales appearances, is expected to lead Wales on the three-Test tour to face the world champions.

The openside flanker came off after 28 minutes against the Ospreys after a collision with Wales team-mate Dan Lydiate and will miss Blues final Pro12 game at Edinburgh.

Warburton has suffered shoulder injuries in the past and the 27-year-old missed Wales' tour to South Africa in June 2014 because of a dislocated shoulder.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is set to name his Wales squad next week and he will return to his home-land without flanker Justin Tipuric and wing Alex Cuthbert while Toulon full-back Leigh Halfpenny and Ospreys prop Paul James are injury doubts.

Tipuric's absence means that Ospreys back-rower James King, Scarlets number seven James Davies and Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins are in contention when Gatland names his squad.

Wales play Grand Slam winners England at Twickenham on May 29th before their trip to New Zealand where Gatland's men will play the All Blacks in Auckland on 11 June, Wellington on 18 June and Dunedin on 25 June and also face Super Rugby side Chiefs in Hamilton on 14 June.

-BBC