The Wales flanker will don the red number six jersey against Argentina after recovering from a neck problem. Warburton is one of six changes to the side beaten by Australia after he proved his fitness in Cardiff Blues’ triumph over Benetton Treviso last weekend.
Head coach Howley wants Warburton to focus on his back-row role and has chosen Gethin Jenkins to continue as captain. And the 28-year-old is happy to be second in command as he aims to put-right last week’s performance by taming the Pumas.
He said: “I’m delighted to be back in the team, the most important thing for me is just to be back. I was pleased with my performance with the Blues out in Treviso, I feel it was important to get that game at regional level. I’ve made the jump straight back into international rugby a few times before and it hasn’t worked out so the sensible thing to do was get 80 minutes for the Blues. I came through unscathed and I’m looking forward to playing at six on the weekend.
“Players are more disappointed than anyone, we are fans like anyone else. We grew up watching Welsh rugby and we’re desperate to win, you only had to see the changing room after the game, they were devastated and will do everything they can to make it right. Saturday can’t come soon enough, we’re desperate to put in a performance for our families and all the people who are paying to watch us play.”
Jenkins will play his 133rd Test match to break England legend Jason Leonard’s record as the most capped front-rower ever alongside Ken Owens and Tomas Francis. Dan Biggar will win his 50th cap in a reshuffled backline.
There are welcome returns for the key quartet of Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams, as Wales go in search of their first win this Autumn. The last time Warburton played in a Wales team under Jenkins, they tore England apart 30-3 to win the Six Nations championship. And he has paid tribute to Jenkins, who captains him at regional level with the Blues.
He said: “When people ask me about the best players that I’ve played with, Gethin is right up there. He is in that category of Wales’ greatest players, two or three years ago people were saying he was slowing down but I haven’t seen that at all.He was great in New Zealand, he won’t want me saying this, but he turns 36 soon and it wouldn’t surprise me if he keeps going.”
