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Lions coach sees plans hit further
Rugby Union, 09:49, May 21, 2009 ,
Lions coach Ian McGeechan has replaced the banned Alan Quinlan with Tom Croft, while Jerry Flannery and Leigh Halfpenny are injured.
McGeechan has seen his team plans thrown into disarray ahead of the impending British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, with 34-year-old Quinlan's appeal against a 12-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in the recent Heineken Cup semi-final being dismissed.
Leicester's Croft, who only has 11 England caps to his name, is the man who will come into the squad to replace Quinlan.
Meanwhile Ireland hooker, Flannery, is also out of the tour after chipping a bone in his elbow in training on Wednesday, while 20-year-old Wales international winger, Halfpenny, is due to miss the start as he has returned to club side Cardiff for treatment on a thigh problem.
"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."
McGeechan, who has already lost Munster's Tomas O'Leary to a broken ankle and Blues centre Tom Shanklin due to a dislocated shoulder, will reveal Flannery and Halfpenny's replacements in due course.