Sam Warburton is considering taking a full year out of rugby, before returning for a World Cup swan-song in 2019 and retiring at the age of 31.

Sportsmail understands discussions have taken place between Warburton and Wales about the Lions captain's injury management, after he underwent surgery for the sixth time in his career in September.

Naturally Warren Gatland wants his talismanic leader to skipper Wales during the next World Cup in Japan – a tournament which could well be Warburton's last before he retires.

Sam Warburton is considering taking a year away from rugby after continued injury problems

So a sabbatical, allowing Warburton a clean break from rugby and the commercial side that goes with being one of the modern greats of the game, is not set in stone but has been aired.

The news comes on the day that Jonathan Davies was not only ruled out of the rest of Wales' autumn Tests, but next year's Six Nations Championship too.

The Lions man of the series from the New Zealand tour suffered a horror ankle injury in the final seconds of Wales' 29-21 defeat to Australia on Saturday in Cardiff.

And Sportsmail believes it will rule the 29-year-old centre out for several months – a crushing blow for a man in the form of his life.

Warburton has suffered 20 injuries across his eight-year Test career for Wales and the Lions

Jamie Roberts, dropped from the original squad, is back as cover for the Tests against Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Warburton has returned to light training at Cardiff Blues, targeting a January return if a year off does not materialise, and spoke of his injury nightmare. His latest neck injury was the 20th serious knock of his eight-year Test career.

'Nowadays when you get injured it is the only time you get to have a rest,' he told Sportsmail.

'It is not great. At least it gives you a chance to focus on all your body parts and get them back in tip-top condition.

'The neck problem is something I have been managing for a few years. It is something I could have played on with but it would have just made it worse. It is would not be fair on the Blues or Wales.

Warburton could make the 2019 World Cup in Japan his last tournament before retirement

'It was the best time to get it done, to sacrifice four months of the year, nip it in the bud for the rest of my career. It will definitely be worth it. Obviously it is a bit of a set-back.

'I have a current contract until 2020 but not signed anything past that.

'I definitely know I am not going to play until my mid-thirties. Players who started at my age (Test debut at 20) don't, unless you are pretty fortunate.'

But Warburton admitted he accepts his fate, especially playing in such a combative position on the openside flank.

'I used to get quite down when I was younger when I got injured but now I realise it is part of the job,' he added. 'If you have had less than a handful of operations playing No 7 you are pretty lucky.

Wales' Jonathan Davies has been ruled out of next year's Six Nations with an ankle injury

'Richie McCaw took a sabbatical when he was playing, David Pocock has just done the same.'

Having captained two unbeaten Lions tours and with a Six Nations Grand Slam Warburton will go down as a legend when does eventually call it a day.

But he sees a potential World Cup win as a crowning glory.

'It is hard to think about retirement because I always have had 2019 on the radar,' he said. 'I would love to make another World Cup – to play in three would be a great thing to say.

'I look at guys like Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell they have both been on three Lions tours (O'Driscoll four) and played in four World Cups. They did amazingly in their careers.

'Hopefully I can get a few more years out of that and try and stay near the top.'

And Warburton, speaking at the launch of the behind-the-scenes Lions DVD four months on from the tour, looks back with fondness on the trip to New Zealand.

Warburton celebrates with his team-mates after drawing the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand

'It was a great experience, it always is with the Lions,' he said. In hindsight you would enjoy it a little bit it more because at the time you are in this pressure-cooker environment for six, seven weeks, and everyone is desperate to get in the Test team.

'Obviously it is great in hindsight as you have your Lions jersey in your house and you everyone can take credit for a relatively successful series but during the time it is tough on players. There is so much pressure on that tour.

'For the Lions it has generated a lot of interest for four years' time.

'Going into the 2013 tour there was more pressure as the Lions had not won since 1997 and they were desperate for a series win, so to get that in Australia probably felt like more of a relief from a Lions perspective, but the fact that we are now unbeaten in the last two tours – I know it is a little bit misleading – but you could say the Lions are unbeaten since 2009 now.

'It paints a much better picture of the Lions and gives people hope moving forward.

'Already people are looking forward to the South Africa series in 2021 and I glad I played my part in generating that interest as part of the team.'

British & Irish Lions: Uncovered is now out on Blu-ray and DVD