Sam retires as the most successful Lions captain in the history of the team, being one of just two men to captain the invitational side twice and having an undefeated record of a series win and draw against Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Fittingly, Warburton’s final match will always remain the thrilling third Test decider against the All Blacks last summer, which ended in a 15-15 draw and secured the Lions’ first ever series draw in New Zealand, having never beaten them.

Capped 75 times by his country, the hugely popular Warburton captained his country a record 49 times, and led them to a World Cup semi-final in 2011, a quarter-final in 2015 and Six Nations titles in 2012 and 2013.