Martyn Williams says that he regrets turning down the chance to captain Wales on a permanent basis.
The 33-year-old, who was called up for his third Lions tour this week, was offered the role by then-Wales coach Steve Hansen for the 2003 World Cup.
But Cardiff Blues open-side flanker Williams told Scrum V that the timing was not right for him.
"I probably wasn't mature enough to take on that role and I didn't think it would be good for the side," he said.
Williams, capped 88 times by Wales, has led his country on six occasions.
He took the armband twice in the 2003 Six Nations against Scotland and France, then a further two times that year on the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand before the World Cup.
He was also captain against Ireland in the 2004 Six Nations but failed to lead his countrymen to a win in any of those five games.
Williams retired from international rugby after Wales' exit from the 2007 World Cup, but came out of retirement last year at the request of new national coach Warren Gatland.
It was to prove a good decision as Wales won the Grand Slam, with Williams named the RBS Six Nations player of the tournament.
Williams captained Wales for the sixth time against Scotland in this year's Six Nations campaign, achieving his first success with a 26-13 win.
"I just didn't think I was the right person to do it [in 2003]," he said.
"We had just had our first child and things were pretty tough at home. That's what it boiled down to.
"Part of me kind of regrets it now that I didn't take it, to realise how big an honour it is.
"I've done it since but it's something I wish I had done really."
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