British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton admits he can’t wait to be put through his paces as Wales prepare for their World Cup campaign.
Wales coach Warren Gatland – who led the Lions in on their 2013 tour to Australia – has lined up gruelling pre-World Cup camps in Switzerland, Qatar and Poland.
As part of their preparations, Paul Stridgeon – the former British & Irish Lions fitness coach – has been brought on board as the new head of physical performance.
And despite knowing the hard work which lies ahead over the next six weeks, 26-year-old flanker Warburton insists he is looking forward to the challenge.
“These camps are brutal but it's just training and it's immensely tough, and I actually love it," said Warburton.
"I love that feeling of once you have been blasted and you finish you know the benefits you'll get from it will be huge.
"Even when I'm on holiday I go running on the beach or do something and tell my wife I'm just going to run up and down gently.
"But in the end she will come over and see me killing myself doing sprints. I just can't help it. If I am training I have just got to do it full-on."
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