British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
Lions team provides medical update
The first test between the Lions and the Springboks showed that there is likely to be a very high level of intensity when these two great teams take each other on once again. The first encounter was described by the Lions’ coaching staff as a “bruising” one. From the spectators’ point of view, it would seem that this label is probably the understatement of the year.
All in all there were nine Lions players that got an honourable mention by the team’s doctor today. First up was Lee Byrne with a strained foot injury, the team’s medical staff is working to ensure that he will be fit for selection come Tuesday. Another strained muscle was the case for Tom Croft as well who came off after he complained of calf trouble. Aqua therapy has sorted him out though and the medical staff is confident that he will be right as rain in no time.
Bruises were the order of the day for Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Lee Mears and Paul O’Connell but all of these have been seen to and are not serious at all. Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll both presented the team with cause for concern after they were involved in collisions on the field. These injuries will take a bit of extra work on the part of the players and the doctors but again there is full confidence that they will be rearing to go, come the next test.
Given some of the footage from the game, it seems as if the Lions have gotten off quite lightly as it could have been a completely different story. The team has proved that the players are strong and the full force of the Lions’ attack will be felt later in the week. Good news for the doctors and the touring side.