Sam Warburton has revealed he feels the captain’s armband will not protect him from being dropped by Wales.

The Six Nations skipper is feeling vulnerable ahead of the match against France on Friday night, following a switch of position and the expectation that he finds his top form so soon after returning from injury.

Against Ireland and Scotland, Wales coach Warren Gatland has moved Warburton from his favourite openside flanker spot to blindside to accommodate Justin Tipuric.

Now, both Warburton and Tipuric are vulnerable to the chop against the French with Dan Lydiate pushing for a start.

“I know that if I was under par and Gats thought I was not the right man to start, he would not pick me,” said Warburton in an interview with the Sunday Mirror.

“I like to be treated the same as all the other players. If I get given the captaincy, I will do it but in between international campaigns I do not see myself as the captain.

“I do not want to fall into the trap of becoming complacent. I said to Warren four or five years ago that my one problem with being captain is being complacent, feeling you are going to play every game.

“But there are so many guys in the squad who could be captain. Alun Wyn Jones is a contender to be the Lions’ captain if it was tomorrow, Jamie Roberts is a massive leader in the squad, Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies – they all have captaincy experience.”

Despite a draw in Dublin against Ireland and victory at home to Scotland, the Wales back row has been a friction point in a well-oiled machine.

But only the flankers are in danger, says Warburton, who insists No.8 Taulupe Faletau is a shoo-in.

“He is an unbelievable player and of all those I have played with, he is one of the best. There is not a skill in rugby he cannot do.

“Toby at No. 8 is out there on his own at the moment. He is world-class – up there with Sergio Parisse and Kieran Read as the three best eights in the world.”

Warburton has revealed he came close to leaving the Cardiff Blues for France two years ago and held talks with Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal.

“I went out to Toulon and looked at their training facilities and met the owner. It was nice and warm and he was a nice guy, quite chilled.

“I went there to see if I would want to go over and realised I would be happiest playing my rugby at home.

“My wife said you could go to France and have a nice lifestyle and get paid a lot more, or stay at home with the family and get a dog. That appealed to me more.”