Sam Warburton had a talent for being in the right place at the right time during his rugby career, mostly.
But timing was not his forte when he turned up to his former school not knowing it was break time — only to be mobbed by pupils.
Whitchurch High School students in Cardiff were taken by surprise with the visit of former Wales and Lions captain Warburton, who has become a successful and well-respected rugby pundit since his retirement from playing.
A photo shared to Instagram sees Warburton surrounded by dozens of pupils as he appears to sign autographs at the centre of a mass huddle. The ex-Cardiff flanker said: "Popped into Whitchurch High School not knowing it was a break time! Always good to head back where it all started".
Whitchurch High is famous for its nurturing of sporting talent, with Warburton, Wales football captain Gareth Bale and Tour de France-winning cyclist Geraint Thomas all hailing from the school. They were all taught by PE teacher Steve Williams. The former deputy head teacher previously said: "There’s no secret. We don’t have something special in the water. But the school provides a tremendous sporting environment."
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Warburton, 34, is no stranger to popping back to his old stomping ground where his passion for rugby was nurtured.
He has so far played something of an instrumental role in the early career of Wales and Exeter Chiefs lock/back-rower Christ Tshiunza, who is injured for this Saturday's visit of Argentina to the Principality Stadium. You can read more about that here.
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