Danny
26-06-2005, 10:12 PM
Lions trio out of tour
From correspondents in Christchurch
June 26, 2005
FOXSPORTS
CAPTAIN Brian O'Driscoll, flanker Richard Hill and centre Tom Shanklin have been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour after suffering injuries.
Irish centre O'Driscoll dislocated his shoulder in the first minute of the first test, won 21-3 by New Zealand.
He was replaced by Will Greenwood, who has not played for England since November and missed much of the season with a knee injury.
O'Driscoll, who was injured in an incident involving All Black captain and centre Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu, expressed his fury over what happened.
"It was a cheap shot which has put me out of the tour," he said in a team statement.
"But the truth is it could have been an awful lot worse because they could have quite easily broken my neck.
"I was turned upside down in the air and speared into the ground.
"I knew straight away that it was serious. I had this searing pain that just wouldn't go away. I have never had a dislocated shoulder before so I did not know that is what it was, but I knew instantly that I was out of the game."
Hill, who also missed most of the season after knee surgery, suffered a knee injury after 19 minutes of the match, being replaced by Welshman Ryan Jones.
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Four years ago, Hill's Lions tour to Australia was cut short after he was concussed in the second test. In the 2003 World Cup he suffered a hamstring injury in England's first match, returning in time for the semi-final victory over France.
Lions staff said there was still a slim chance he might take some further part in the tour, but coach Clive Woodward said he considered him out of contention and the player left the ground on crutches.
Shanklin, who was not in the test 22, aggravated a knee injury in training and was ruled out on medical advice.
"It has been a bad day. Brian is not good. It is a very bad dislocation and it took 25 minutes to get his shoulder back in," said Woodward.
After viewing a video of the incident he told journalists that the two All Blacks should have been ordered off during the match.
"In my opinion it is a pretty horrendous tackle and it has put him out for a long time."
The injuries to O'Driscoll and Shanklin mean an almost certain start for Welshman Gavin Henson in the second test after he was controversially overlooked for the first.
Greenwood and Irishman Shane Horgan are the only other recognised centres in the squad, although Jonny Wilkinson and several other backs have filled the role in the past.
From correspondents in Christchurch
June 26, 2005
FOXSPORTS
CAPTAIN Brian O'Driscoll, flanker Richard Hill and centre Tom Shanklin have been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour after suffering injuries.
Irish centre O'Driscoll dislocated his shoulder in the first minute of the first test, won 21-3 by New Zealand.
He was replaced by Will Greenwood, who has not played for England since November and missed much of the season with a knee injury.
O'Driscoll, who was injured in an incident involving All Black captain and centre Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu, expressed his fury over what happened.
"It was a cheap shot which has put me out of the tour," he said in a team statement.
"But the truth is it could have been an awful lot worse because they could have quite easily broken my neck.
"I was turned upside down in the air and speared into the ground.
"I knew straight away that it was serious. I had this searing pain that just wouldn't go away. I have never had a dislocated shoulder before so I did not know that is what it was, but I knew instantly that I was out of the game."
Hill, who also missed most of the season after knee surgery, suffered a knee injury after 19 minutes of the match, being replaced by Welshman Ryan Jones.
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Four years ago, Hill's Lions tour to Australia was cut short after he was concussed in the second test. In the 2003 World Cup he suffered a hamstring injury in England's first match, returning in time for the semi-final victory over France.
Lions staff said there was still a slim chance he might take some further part in the tour, but coach Clive Woodward said he considered him out of contention and the player left the ground on crutches.
Shanklin, who was not in the test 22, aggravated a knee injury in training and was ruled out on medical advice.
"It has been a bad day. Brian is not good. It is a very bad dislocation and it took 25 minutes to get his shoulder back in," said Woodward.
After viewing a video of the incident he told journalists that the two All Blacks should have been ordered off during the match.
"In my opinion it is a pretty horrendous tackle and it has put him out for a long time."
The injuries to O'Driscoll and Shanklin mean an almost certain start for Welshman Gavin Henson in the second test after he was controversially overlooked for the first.
Greenwood and Irishman Shane Horgan are the only other recognised centres in the squad, although Jonny Wilkinson and several other backs have filled the role in the past.