The British & Irish Lions have arrived in Perth to begin their tour of Australia, with head coach Andy Farrell admitting there are fitness worries surrounding Irish internationals Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan.
Following a near day-long journey from Dublin with a stop in Doha, the Lions landed ahead of their first match Down Under — a clash with the Western Force at Optus Stadium this Saturday.
However, the availability of Gibson-Park and Keenan remains uncertain due to respective glute and calf complaints. In more positive news, Scotland’s Huw Jones has overcome an Achilles injury and is fit for selection.
“We’ll see how they pull up in midweek,” Farrell said of Gibson-Park and Keenan. “Huw Jones is good, he’s been training. He trained fully with us last week so he’s up and running.”
Farrell confirmed that Saturday’s team will largely consist of players from Leinster, Bath, and Leicester — those whose domestic campaigns only ended last weekend following the United Rugby Championship and Premiership finals.
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No fresh fitness setbacks were reported after the Lions’ narrow 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin on Friday. Farrell was quick to move past the result and shift the focus to preparations for the Test series.
“We’re here to build for what’s going to be a fantastic Test series. We want to play some good rugby along the way,” he said.
“We’ll find out more about each other as we keep on going. Of course we’ll analyse what went on against Argentina and why, but that’s all part of the journey – to understand where we need to go next.
“It’s great to be here, this is what it’s all about. We’re here for a good time. Hopefully we can start this part of the tour off really well on Saturday.”
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Elsewhere, England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has received a two-match suspension after being sent off in his side’s narrow 26-24 loss to a France XV at the weekend.
The winger, who recently returned from a six-month injury absence, was initially shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Antoine Hastoy, which was later upgraded to red following a review.
The independent disciplinary panel noted that the incident involved “a high degree of danger,” and confirmed that Feyi-Waboso had accepted the penalty.
His ban was initially set at three games but may be reduced to two if he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention. If so, the Exeter back will miss both of England’s Tests against Argentina next month but would be eligible to face the USA in Washington.
However, with England head coach Steve Borthwick due to name his final squad on Monday, Feyi-Waboso’s spot now appears uncertain.
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