Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Arthur Ferridge

Huw Jones returns to Lions XV for second Australia Test after Garry Ringrose withdraws with concussion

Garry Ringrose has withdrawn from the British and Irish Lions team to face Australia after displaying concussion symptoms, head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed.

He had been set to start at centre alongside Ireland teammate Bundee Aki, but was ruled out after self-reporting concussion symptoms in training on Thursday.

Ringrose had missed the first Test with similar symptoms but returned to play 64 minutes against Pasifika.

He has suffered a setback in his recovery, though, forcing Farrell into a last-minute rotation, with Huw Jones reintroduced to the XV.

Farrell said: "Garry was actually selected and unfortunately, after training, he's had to pull out.

"It's head-related again. It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me, and once that's mentioned, that's that.

"There was no incident. He was feeling good well in advance of Tuesday. He was fit and ready to play.

"There was no incident through the game on Tuesday at all, nothing yesterday (Wednesday) and nothing this morning, but with these type of things players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.

"It's very easy to keep it to yourself and lie and not be honest and open. It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100 per cent. For the team as well, not just for Garry.

"It's unfortunate for Garry but we've always said it's about the squad, and nothing but about the squad."

Owen Farrell drops to the bench after captaining the side against Pasifika, while Marcus Smith misses out entirely, replaced by fit-again Blair Kinghorn.

Aki’s inclusion is one of three changes to the XV from the first test. Ellis Genge started in Brisbane but will serve as a replacement in Melbourne. Also dropped are Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu.

Joe Schmidt has also rotated his Wallabies outfit, with Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, and David Porecki all returning.

"The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week's preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together," he said.

Lineups for British and Irish Lions vs Australia

British & Irish Lions: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Chessum, Beirne, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Ryan, Morgan, Mitchell, Farrell, Kinghorn

Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter, Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Skelton, Valetini, McReight, Wilson

Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Williams, Gleeson, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.