Lions captain Sam Warburton heads sporting inclusions in New Year Honours
Written by News on 31/12/2017
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.
Former Wales captain Warburton led the Lions on their last two tours, including the drawn Test series against world champions New Zealand during the summer.
The 29-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker is currently recovering from surgery on a neck problem which ruled him out of contention for Wales’ Test matches during November and December.
He has so far won 74 international caps for Wales and also led the Lions in Australia in 2013 when he became the squad’s youngest captain at 24 ahead of the 2-1 victory over the Wallabies.
Warburton was part of the Cardiff Blues team which beat Toulon to win the 2010 European Challenge Cup, a first continental success for a Welsh club.
There are also a series of honours for the England women’s cricket team, with captain Heather Knight receiving an OBE following their triumph in last summer’s World Cup, which was delivered with victory over India at Lord’s in July.
Coach Mark Robinson also collects an OBE while bowler Anya Shrubsole and Kent’s Tammy Beaumont both receive the MBE.
England and Wales Cricket Board director of women’s cricket Clare Connor becomes a CBE, having previously been awarded an OBE.
Former Scotland rugby union captain Ian McLauchlan receives an OBE, as does Ed Morrison, who was England’s first full-time professional rugby union referee and took charge of the 1995 World Cup final when South Africa defeated New Zealand after extra-time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Former Manchester United youth team coach Eric Harrison – who helped develop the ‘Class of 92’ including Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham – receives an MBE.
Paralympian Stef Reid, who won silver in the F44 long jump at both the London 2012 Games and also in Rio, also collects an MBE.
Welsh cycling coach Alan Davis, who helped the likes of Olympic team pursuit gold medallists Owain Doull and Elinor Barker as youngsters while also riding with Geraint Thomas, becomes an MBE.
Nicky Henderson, trainer of the Queen’s racehorses, has been made a Royal Victorian Order Lieutenant (LVO).
International Ski Federation secretary general Sarah Lewis receives an OBE for services to sport while Scotland and Lions team doctor James Robson is awarded an MBE.
(c) Sky News 2017: Lions captain Sam Warburton heads sporting inclusions in New Year Honours
