Despite ending the trip as the fall-guy for their semi-final exit, after his first-half sending-off for a tip tackle on France winger Vincent Clerc, the 23-year-old’s reputation was firmly enhanced in New Zealand.

With Gatland’s policy of giving youth its head, winning numerous plaudits in doing so, Warburton is widely expected to retain the captaincy for the Six Nations campaign.

However with Rees back in action in the Scarlets front row Warburton insists he’s got no idea who Gatland will choose and certainly won’t be banging on the Kiwi’s door if he is ousted.

“I’ve had no indication what’s going to happen,” said Warburton. “Matthew was captain for the last Six Nations campaign and did a brilliant job. It was only bad luck why he didn’t end up being captain for the World Cup.

“If I did it as a temporary thing I could completely understand that.”