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Sam Warburton says he will spend the rest of his career in Welsh rugby with Cardiff Blues.

The Wales captain has admitted that he could have earned far more money had he taken up offers to join what at one stage was an exodus of top talent to France.

But Warburton insists that winning trophies with a cash-rich club across the channel would never mean as much to him.

And he claims he will spend the next 10 years trying to win silverware with the Blues if that’s what it takes – even though by then he will be 37.

“To be honest I could have earned twice as much money if I had chosen to go to France. But I wanted to stay in Cardiff and play for Cardiff,” said Warburton.

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(Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I love this team. That’s why I stayed here. I want to be loyal to Cardiff.

“I admire people like Martyn Williams who stayed here for his professional career.

“I would find it a lot more satisfying to win things here than to leave and achieve that somewhere else.

“I want to win club tournaments and we were all gutted in Europe last year when we did not do as well as wanted.

“But if it takes me 10 years to win another trophy here, then I’ll do it. I will stay here and try and win it.”

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While the Blues have endured a terrible start to the season results-wise, losing six of their seven Guinness Pro12 matches so far, Warburton is adamant that better times lie ahead.

He says the region must stick with coach Danny Wilson and put down a platform for the future.

And Warburton spoke candidly about why he takes so much pride in playing for his hometown club.

“Under Danny, we are definitely on the right path,” he said.

“In time, this club can win things. Looking at the squad, in three years time only a handful of players will not be here.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

“I remember when I was a kid I had a season ticket for three years at the Arms Park.

“I loved watching Martyn Williams and Robin Sowden-Taylor. I wanted to wear that No.7 shirt after them. That motivated me.

“I can remember watching Dan Baugh when I was really young – this guy with his socks rolled down and his collar tucked in, trying to take people’s heads off.

“I thought ‘I want to do that, I want to play for this team’.

“When I was offered a senior contract with the Blues, that was a dream come true for me because I was a Cardiff lad.”