Lions Name Team For Reds And Confirm Cruel Injury Blow To Tomos Williams
Lions Name Team For Reds And Confirm Cruel Injury Blow To Tomos Williams
Tomos Williams is ruled out of Lions tour with hamstring injury; Ben White called up as Lions prepare to face Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The British and Irish Lions were dealt a major setback ahead of Wednesday’s clash with the Queensland Reds, as in-form scrumhalf Tomos Williams was ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a hamstring injury.
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Williams sustained the injury early in the second half of Saturday’s 54-7 rout of Western Force in Perth, Australia.
The Welshman, who scored twice in that match, had quickly emerged as the front-runner for the No. 9 jersey in the opening test against Australia on July 19. His departure reduces Wales' representation in Andy Farrell's squad to a single player - flanker Jac Morgan.
"Unfortunately, Tomos has been ruled out of the rest of the tour with a hamstring injury," Lions head coach Andy Farrell confirmed. "Ben White will join us from the Scotland squad and will fly over from New Zealand."
White, who featured in Scotland's summer tour of New Zealand, will provide depth at scrumhalf behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Alex Mitchell.
Gibson-Park has recovered from a glute issue and is set to make his first appearance of the tour on Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium, with Mitchell providing cover from the bench.
The loss of Williams is softened only slightly by the return of Gibson-Park, but for Lions management, the disappointment is clear.
"This is desperately sad news for Tomos, and we wish him all the very best in his recovery," said Lions manager Ieuan Evans. "He lit up this tour with his personality and talent. He was an exemplary Lion."
Farrell has named a strong side to face the Reds, with skipper Maro Itoje returning to the second row after being rested against the Force. He partners Ollie Chessum in the engine room, while Ireland's Hugo Keenan earns his first start at fullback after recovering from a calf issue.
Finn Russell continues at fly-half following a standout performance in Perth, and he is joined in the halves by Gibson-Park.
Bundee Aki and Huw Jones continue their midfield partnership, while Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe patrol the wings.
In the pack, the front row of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Will Stuart will aim to assert early dominance.
Tom Curry and Jack Conan join Morgan in the back row for what is expected to be the Lions’ toughest non-test challenge so far.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is poised to make it three appearances from three games, the only tourist with that distinction, if he comes off the bench in Brisbane.
The Lions are hoping to maintain momentum as they inch closer to the first of three tests against Australia. But the loss of Williams — a spark plug in the opening fixtures — adds a layer of adversity to their preparations.
British And Irish Lions XV To Face Queensland Reds
H Keenan; T Freeman, H Jones, B Aki, D van der Merwe; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, W Stuart; M Itoje (capt), O Chessum; T Curry, J Morgan, J Conan.
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, E Genge, F Bealham, J Ryan, B Earl, A Mitchell, F Smith, G Ringrose.
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