SAM WARBURTON has revealed how a brutal neck injury nearly forced him to choose between his rugby career and his daughter.
The two-time British and Irish Lions captain and Wales flanker has been sitting out this season after having potentially life-changing surgery on his neck after the impact of being a first-class rugby player took its toll.
In an interview with The Times, Warburton, 29, says he went into a tackle pad during his first training session back with the Cardiff Blues and knew something was wrong.
He said: “We weren’t even doing contact. I just went into a pad awkwardly.
“It was my neck again. If you look back at the video [all training is filmed these days], it looks so innocuous.
“I almost got quite emotional. Not in front of anyone, but in my head. I was thinking ‘this is ridiculous how often this is happening.
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“The only way I can explain the pain is when you bite some ice cream on your teeth and they are sensitive, it was like that from my neck down to my fingers.
“A bad one will last up to five minutes. All you can do is cradle your arm and ride it out, it’s horrible.
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“I sat down with Danny and Warren and I said I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play again.
“I told them I was worried for my body. I said: ‘I’ve got a daughter now and I want to be able to go to the beach with her and hold her.’
Photo Cred : @ryanshahin 
Gatland shuffles the pack
WALES have made several changes to their team to face Italy on Sunday.
Warren Gatland has promoted No8 Taulupe Faletau to captain, after promising to experiment with a host of players.
Liam Williams starts at full back, George North on the wing after his ‘no play’ row with Northampton.
James Davies makes his debut in the back row, Gareth Anscombe starts at 10, Scarlets team-mate Owen Watkin at outside centre with Cory Hill remains the only forward to play in the 37-27 defeat to Ireland.
WALES TEAM TO FACE ITALY
Backs: Liam Williams, George North, Owen Watkin, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans, Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies.
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Elliot dee, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Bradley Davies, Justin Tipuric, James Davies, Taulupe Faletau (Capt).
Replacements: Ken Owens, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, Seb Davies, Ellis Jenkins, Aled Davies, Rhys Patchell, Leigh Halfpenny.
“I said: ‘I’m doubting playing again.'”
The Wales openside, led the Dragons to a Grand Slam in 2012 and another title in 2013, but the bruising nature of international rugby has clearly caught up with a player who prides himself on his fitness.
Warburton has also called for the rugby season to be curtailed to around 25.
He said: “The seasons can’t get longer. If you play more than 25 games a year you put yourself at more risk of being injured.
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