Wales boss Warren Gatland wary of French connection

“There’s not going to be any sanction for him in this set-up,” said Gatland.

“This is a French decision, a Bayonne decision. I can only say those are issues for Mike to sort out.

“During the last campaign with Wales he was great and with the Lions he conducted himself extremely well. I am expecting that same attitude from him in this campaign.

“Obviously there is a slight concern to make sure this is not something that will continue to be repeated, as there have been instances in the past.”

Warburton has been reinstated as captain for the Tests against South Africa, Argentina and Tonga before the Wallabies.

Alex Cuthbert and Jamie Roberts are two Lions excluded through injury – the latter pointedly left in Paris rather than bothering the Wales fitness staff.

Cardiff Blues hooker and captain Matthew Rees, a 2009 British Lion who was not due for a Wales recall, will have surgery for testicular cancer this week, which will sideline him for an indeterminate period.

WALES SQUAD – Full-back: Halfpenny, Liam Williams. Wing: North, Walker. Centre: Allen, Beck, J Davies, O Williams, S Williams. Fly-half: Biggar, Hook, Patchell, Priestland. Scrum-half: Lloyd Williams, M Phillips, R Williams. Hooker: Hibbard, Owens, Phillips. Prop: Andrews, Bevington, Jarvis, A Jones, James, Jenkins. Lock: Charteris, Coombs, B Davies, Evans, AW Jones. Back row: Faletau, R Jones, Lydiate, Tipuric, Warburton (capt).

Wales boss Warren Gatland wary of French connection