Lions boss Warren Gatland downplays Dylan Hartley’s chances of being captain — and talks up Wales’ Sam Warburton.

LIONS boss Warren Gatland has downplayed Dylan Hartley’s chances of being captain — and talked up Wales’ Sam Warburton.

Hartley led England to back-to-back Six Nations titles but is still no shoo-in for a place on this summer’s New Zealand tour.

The Northampton hooker, 30, who was banned for the 2013 Lions tour to Australia, lasted less than 55 minutes in all five Six Nations Tests.

And Gatland said: “You want to be picking a captain who you are reasonably confident will be in the Test team.

“Dylan’s done a really good job but he knows he is under pressure from Jamie George.

“A lot of people rate Jamie highly. That’s going to be interesting for us.

“There’s also Rory Best who’s done well with Ireland and Ken Owens had a good Six Nations for Wales. So there’s a fair bit of competition about the captaincy and the hooker position.”

Flanker Warburton, 28, stood down as Wales captain this year but led the Lions to a series win four years ago.

Wales boss Gatland said: “Sam had a great Six Nations.

“He’s a different captain to others. He leads by example, doesn’t say a lot and he’s had that experience. He’s in contention, definitely.”

Gatland will name his Lions squad on April 19 ahead of June’s ten-match tour which ends with three Tests against the All Blacks.

He added: “I know probably half the squad.

“The hardest thing is normally the last four or five — players with the right personalities who will be good tourists.”