Euan Murray and James Hook will learn more about their injury prospects today after both were replaced in the British & Irish Lions' 20-8 win over the Southern Kings.
Scottish tight head prop Euan Murray limped out of proceedings after only seven minutes after spraining his right ankle, while Welsh outside half Hook was taken off as a precaution after taking a blow to the head.

“The good news is that Euan has had an X-Ray and there is no break. It is just a sprain,” explained Lions head coach Ian McGeechan after the game.

“James took a knock to the head and we took him off as a precaution. He will be reviewed by our medical team on Wednesday.”

Murray’s injury is likely to rule him out of contention for the first Test. He has his right ankle in a cast and is unlikely to shake off the effects of the sprain in time to take on the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.
The Lions have two other specialist tight head props in Phil Vickery and Adam Jones. Gethin Jenkins is also able to play on both sides of the scrum, so McGeechan said there were no immediate plans to consider replacing the injured Murray.

The Lions have three Tests to play over the next three weekends and have one further provincial match to play, agaiknst the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town next week.

Hook, however, could still come into the reckoning if the doctors give him the all clear. With 32 points in five involvements in matches on tour he has certainly put his hand up for selection either in the starting line-up or among the replacements..

This article was posted on 17-Jun-2009, 19:22 by Hugh Barrow.