BREAKING NEWS: Wyn Jones ruled OUT of first Test against South Africa

BREAKING NEWS: Lions star Wyn Jones ruled OUT of first Test against South Africa with a shoulder injury in major blow for Warren Gatland… as Rory Sutherland replaces the loosehead prop in the starting XV

  • Wyn Jones ruled out of today’s first Test with South Africa through injury
  • The loosehead prop has been suffering with an shoulder injury and will not play
  • Rory Sutherland is added to the starting XV while Mako Vunipola is on the bench

Lions prop Wyn Jones has been forced to pull out of today’s first Test with South Africa after picking up a minor shoulder injury.

It’s a huge blow to Warren Gatland and his team, who are just hours away from the showpiece in Cape Town.

The loosehead prop has been replaced by Rory Sutherland in the starting XV while Mako Vunipola comes onto the bench.

Lions prop Wyn Jones has been forced to pull out of today’s first Test with South Africa

Jones picked up a shoulder injury in the Lions’ warm-up match against South Africa ‘A’ and was cleared fit to play in today’s game.

However, the 29-year-old is still having issues with the injury after picking up a knock in Thursday’s training session, leaving Gatland to make the late change. 

‘It’s really bad luck for Wyn and we all feel for him missing out on tonight’s game,’ said Warren Gatland.

‘However, we’re confident he’ll be back in training next week and have no plans to bring in anyone else at this stage.’ 

The first of the three-test series between the Lions and the world champion Springboks kicks off at 1600 GMT in Cape Town.


It’s a major blow for Warren Gatland (left), with Rory Sutherland (left) starting ahead of Jones

SQUADS FOR TODAY’S FIRST TEST

LIONS: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Ali Price, 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Tadhg Beirne, 20. Hamish Watson, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Owen Farrell, 23. Liam Williams.

SOUTH AFRICA: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk, 1. Ox Nché, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Kwagga Smith.

Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Lood de Jager, 20. Rynhardt Elstadt, 21. Herschel Jantjies, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. Damian Willemse.




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