Warburton to make amends for 2011
He will try to lead them out of the so-called 'group of death' at next month's World Cup in England.
The Welsh reached the semifinals in New Zealand in 2011, only to lose 9-8 to France in a tightly contested match, in which they lost scrum anchor Adam Jones early in the first half.
A match in which Warburton himself was sent off before half-time.
This time round they find themselves in a pool featuring World Cup hosts England and two-time champions Australia.
Australia have won their last 10 Tests against Wales and it seems that Wales would have to be at their absolute best to navigate their way out of this group.
At least one of these three major nations will miss out on a quarterfinal spot.
The dangerous Fiji, who knocked Wales out of the 2007 World Cup, is also in the same group.
It is therefore not a forgone conclusion that even two of the major teams will progress to the knock-out phase .
Only the top two teams from each of the four pools will qualify for the quarterfinals.
"We definitely want to go one step further," Warburton said.
"All the players get asked questions about the last World Cup, and it's always the 'what if' question.
"No one really knows what would have happened. It's impossible to say.
"With Adam Jones going off pretty early it became tough, he was arguably the number one tighthead in the world at that time.
"The scrum was so important against France, and losing him was probably as much a killer blow as my red card, really," Warburton added.
"It is impossible to answer what would have happened, but the spine of the team this time is pretty similar, with everyone probably 30 or 40 caps better off.
"The leadership group we've got in the squad as a whole is so much better than it was four years ago, which makes my job a lot easier as well.
"In a World Cup, you have got to string six or seven games together to be able to make sure you can win it. It's about that consistency of performance week in, and week out."
Meanwhile the 26-year-old paid tribute to Wales coach Warren Gatland for giving him an early introduction to Test rugby in 2009, which in turn led to the Cardiff Blues flank captaining both Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
"I doubt I would be in the position I am in if it wasn't for Warren," said Warburton of the New Zealander.
"Another coach probably wouldn't have put his faith in a 22-year-old kid who only had 14 or 15 caps when he picked me as captain in 2011. He stuck by me.
"I do feel that I am a slightly different player when I am playing under Warren for Wales. He gives me a heck of a lot of confidence, and I think that brings out some of my best rugby.
"Some of the best games I've played have been under Warren's guidance. A lot of the things I have achieved in my career, a massive part of that is due to Warren."
Source: Agence France-Presse
