THE HERALD REPORTS

Injury ends Murray's tour

Euan Murray, the Scotland prop, was last night preparing to fly home from South Africa after his involvement in the Lions tour was brought to a premature end by the ankle injury he suffered in Tuesday's match against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Although precise details of the extent of the injury were not revealed, Ian McGeechan, the Lions coach, confirmed the 28-year-old, who had been one of only Scots selected for the original party, had "damaged the structures around the ankle joint." McGeechan went on to say that the problem would be "subject to further assessment, treatment and specialist opinion but may require surgical repair."

Murray, a committed Christian and qualified vet, handled his disappointment with characteristic dignity.

"It's been great to experience and be part of the 2009 Lions Tour," he said after being told his time with the squad was over. "I know things like this happen in rugby, it's just very disappointing to be on my way home as the Tests are just round the corner. I wish the boys every success over the coming weeks."

Murray's place in the squad will be taken by Ireland's John Hayes, a veteran of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005. The prop is expected to join the party in time to watch the first Test against the Springboks in Durban tomorrow.

News of Murray's departure was the second blow for Scottish rugby in the space of a few hours, coming as it did soon after it had been confirmed that no Scot will be involved in the Lions matchday 22 as the Test series gets underway in Durban's ABSA Stadium.

It is now eight years since a Scot has been chosen for the Lions starting XV in a Test. Prop Tom Smith turned out for the combined side against Australia in 2001, but no Scot was chosen to start any of the three internationals against the All Blacks in 2005.

Scotland's representation on this tour was brought up to four when scrum-half Mike Blair and hooker Ross Ford joined Murray and Nathan Hines after others dropped out due to injury. However, the prospect of any making the Test team diminished when none made an overwhelming case for selection in provincial matches.

"Not having any in the Test side is a fair reflection of the way the Scottish guys have performed so far," said Gavin Hastings, the former Scotland full-back who also captained the Lions in New Zealand in 1993.

"Some people play well on tour and others sometimes struggle. It's unfortunate that Ross has just not performed, and that his Achilles heel has been his throwing in.

"It's sad that the game just hasn't run for Mike. It's not gone his way and I feel desperately sorry for him. I know that he will be disappointed with the way he has performed out here."

John Beattie, a Lions tourist to South Africa in 1980, described Scotland's lack of representation as "an embarrassment."

Beattie said: "If you're honest, we don't have players who rival Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts, and I think that questions will be asked after this tour as to why not."

This article was originally posted on 19-Jun-2009, 07:30 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 19-Jun-2009, 07:30.