 Rory Best is captain for Ireland's summer tour of Canada and the United States |
Ulster captain Rory Best could come into the Lions squad after Munster hooker Jerry Flannery pulled out of the tour to South Africa because of injury. Flannery chipped a bone in his elbow in training on Wednesday and his withdrawal leaves Best and Scot Ross Ford on stand-by to replace him. The decision on Flannery's replacement is to be announced on Friday. Set-piece specialist Best is currently leading Ireland's tour to Canada and the United States. He is in the starting line-up for Saturday's Test against the Canucks. Flannery's injury followed news that Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan had lost his appeal against a 12-week ban. He has been replaced by Tom Croft. Meanwhile, Wales winger Leigh Halfpenny will miss the start of the Lions' trip to South Africa while he receives treatment for a thigh injury. Munster star Flannery had a scan on his elbow injury and will now require an operation. Former Ireland and Lions hooker Keith Wood told BBC Radio 5 Live he was "absolutely gutted" for Flannery and backed Best to replace him. "Flannery was comfortably the best hooker in the last two seasons," he said. "He throws unbelievably well. Against Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, that's something that is very important. Accuracy is paramount." Munster flanker Quinlan, 34, was found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in the recent Heineken Cup semi-final.  | 606: DEBATE |
Heineken Cup organisers European Rugby Cup turned down his appeal in Glasgow on Wednesday and confirmed his ban runs until 9 September. Quinlan had been a surprise inclusion in Lions coach Ian McGeechan's squad and had been picked ahead of the likes of Croft and Wales captain Ryan Jones. Leicester's Croft has only won 11 caps but played an important role towards the end of the England's Six Nations campaign. McGeechan said: "We had to be fair and allow Alan Quinlan the opportunity to appeal his suspension. "However, following the outcome of the appeal we have replaced him with Tom Croft who was very unlucky not to have been selected in the original tour party. "Tom showed in his recent performances for Leicester following the tour party announcement that he could put aside his disappointment and perform at a very high level. "He was on our selection reserve list and today his continued good form has been rewarded with selection." Halfpenny, 20, will return to club side Cardiff for treatment and is expected to be out for 10-14 days.  Flannery was set to feature in the Lions' starting XV in South Africa |
"Leigh's injury will take longer than first thought and we have decided to only go with fit players," said McGeechan. "You don't want to be on tour not training or playing and he will get full medical attention in Cardiff. "If the recovery goes as planned he we will join us as soon as he's fit." England full-back Delon Armitage, Wasps' retiring World Cup winner Josh Lewsey and Scotland's Chris Paterson are all possible alternatives. McGeechan has already had to make two changes to his squad, after Quinlan's Munster colleague Tomas O'Leary broke his ankle and Blues centre Tom Shanklin dislocated his shoulder. Scotland skipper Mike Blair replaces O'Leary, while there will be no replacement for Shanklin. The Lions squad assembled in Surrey on Monday, six days before they are due to fly out to South Africa. The opening game of the 10-match tour is against a Royal XV in Rustenburg on 30 May, and there are three Test matches against world champions South Africa - in Durban (20 June), Pretoria (27 June) and Johannesburg (4 July).
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?