Wales hail their captain fantastic

Sam Warburton is being hailed as captain fantastic by Wales' management and players ahead of their semi-final showdown with France.

Forwards coach Robin McBryde reckons the Rugby World Cup's youngest skipper belies his 23 years as he leads by example on and off the pitch.

Not for Warburton is the scatter-gun blast in team talks. He is a man of few words but when he does open his mouth his teammates listen intently.

Warburton, who is being compared by some commentators to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, will lead his exuberant young side into action against France at Eden Park on Saturday as Wales bid to reach the final for the first time.

McBryde said: "When you see Sam's composure and the way he handles himself on and off the field, you know you are in the company of somebody special.

"Some captains feel they have to change completely when they are handed the role, talking at every opportunity. He has not had to say much in team meetings. But when he does, they listen.

"Sam leads from the front with his performance. He has had some sound advice. He has good balance and likes to get away from rugby when he can, which has not been easy on this trip."

Media blackout

It has been an amazing transformation for Cardiff-born flanker Warburton, who has played only 22 Tests. Four years ago he was leading the under-19 team at the World Championships in Belfast.

He took over as skipper from Matthew Rees after the hooker was forced out of the RWC 2011 squad because of a neck injury. It did not take Warburton long to earn the squad's respect, even though three-quarters of them are older than him.

Warburton said: "It's a compliment, but for me my main target since I was appointed captain was to make sure that performance was the main thing and not to worry too much about anything else.

"I don't really read the papers out here and what people have been saying."

McBryde knows that 62,000 people are expected to watch the match on giant screens at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - more than the number who will be at Eden Park.

But he said: "Being so far away, I don't think we are aware of how much hype and feeling there is toward the squad. Being aware of it and not having first-hand experience are two different things.

"I don't think it is a bad thing. The only weight and expectation we have on our shoulders is the pressure we put on ourselves.

"Because of the youth in the squad we are relatively unburdened by the pressures of expectancy and we are happy with it. It is the same mindset as we took into the game against Ireland last week."