Wales skipper Ryan Jones has praised Sam Warburton for his conduct after losing the captaincy for the Six Nations.

Jones will lead his country for the 31st time against Italy on Saturday, but flanker Warburton has been consigned to the bench for the clash in Rome.

"It is amazing all the furore around this. Sam is a wonderful character, a complete professional and he has taken the challenge on the chin and he has still being functioning superbly within the group," he told BBC Sport.

"Sam is still club captain, if you like, and his role within hasn't changed."

Jones won the Grand Slam with Wales last year.