Round-up: Lions captaincy would be just mind-blowing, says Sam Warburton

Leading edge: Warburton would be the first rookie at the helm since 1989 (Getty Images)

Sam Warburton insists he would accept the invitation to lead the British & Irish Lions in Australia in an instant after bookmakers suspended betting on him receiving the captain's armband, when the Lions squad is announced on 30 April.

"It would be a no brainer – it's the biggest honour for any player. It's mind- blowing when you think about it, to have that accolade," Warburton said. "Everyone who has done it is a legend of the game."

But the Welsh flanker insists he has no knowledge of any decision Warren Gatland may have made and did not understand the betting terminology.

"I've heard about it and had lots of texts from people asking what's going on but I can honestly say I have no inkling of what's happening. The players are often the last people to find out about these things.

"I didn't understand it at first because I don't bet. I didn't know if it was a good or bad thing and I had to ask my Dad what it meant. One minute it's O'Driscoll, then it's O'Connell, then myself."

Warburton could not help his Cardiff Blues side on Saturday as they went down 24-6 to Scarlets. Elsewhere, Northampton boss Jim Mallinder says his side won't get carried away after sealing their Aviva Premiership play-off spot with a seven-try thrashing of Sale.

"We know it is going to be hard," he said after Saints' 47-7 win, "because this season we have struggled against the top sides, but we have got a chance and that is all you need."