Three prospective British & Irish Lions squad members could potentially miss their tour of South Africa after suffering untimely injuries in recent weeks.
Lions coach Warren Gatland is scheduled to announce his 36-man touring squad on Thursday, 6 May. But three Lions hopefuls – George North, Johnny Sexton and Joe Launchbury – have seen their chances diminish due to serious injuries.
North
The powerhouse wing-turned-centre suffered a season-ending ACL rupture this past Saturday, which effectively ruled him out of B&I Lions contention. Early in the second half of the Ospreys’ 36-14 Rainbow Cup victory over the Cardiff Blues, North went down in agony, clutching his right knee.
Sport can be cruel. We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement. ? pic.twitter.com/icNDEmYmHE
— George North (@George_North) April 28, 2021
Sexton
For the second time in his career, the Ireland flyhalf has been stood down from action after a succession of head injuries. In 2015, he was ruled out for 12 weeks by French neurologist Dr Jean-Francois Chermann. This past weekend, Sexton missed Leinster’s derby against Munster after the club confirmed that he had been ruled out again after failing a head injury assessment (HIA) for the third time in nine weeks.
Launchbury
The Wasps and England lock saw his hopes of a first B&I Lions tour possibly dashed after suffering a knee injury. He twisted awkwardly in the 32nd minute of Wasps’ English Premiership clash with Bath at the Ricoh Arena.
ALSO READ: North confirms ‘heartbreaking’ Lions tour absence
Photo: Getty Images
