Sam Warburton makes HUGE Ireland claim that will not go down well with Springbok fans
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Complete.
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has made a big claim about Ireland following their exploits in the Six Nations this year that will not go down well with Springbok fans.
Ireland have shown no sign of a Rugby World Cup hangover following their latest defeat at the quarter-final stages, securing maximum points in their opening three games of the Six Nations with three bonus-point wins.
Andy Farrell’s side defeated the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup last year in the pool stages but it was South Africa who went to go all the way and retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
Despite this, Warburton still believes Ireland are the best team in the world at the moment.
“I watch Ireland and I’m genuinely in awe of how they’re playing. I can cast my mind back to when I was playing for the couple of seasons when Wales were pretty good. We weren’t near that level,” Warburton told the BBC Rugby Union Daily podcast.
“Their work-rate off the ball, both sides in attack and defence. The accuracy is almost unseen at international level. How comfortable they are, everyone just gets into shape so quickly.
“I thought it was crushing for them in the World Cup [losing their quarter-final against New Zealand], but they’ve responded so well.
“South African fans will hate me for saying this, but I still think they [Ireland] are the best team in the world. I’ve just never seen a team that’s that complete.”
Over to you, South Africa.