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The Lions have been rocked by their first major injury setback after confirming that Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been ruled out of the remainder of the Australia tour.
It is a devastating blow for a man who illuminated the club season in the colours of Gloucester and went on to be named Premiership Player of the Year, as he was regarded as a prime contender for a role in the Test series.
Scotland’s Ben White has been called up to join the Lions, shortly after arriving in Auckland with his national team, to prepare for a south Pacific tour.
Williams damaged his hamstring in the act of diving to score his second try of the night as Andy Farrell’s British and Irish side put Western Force to the sword in Perth on Saturday – winning 54-7.
Having combined brilliantly with James Lowe wide on the right, he leapt to finish and after doing so, the 30-year-old stood up holding his right leg, in evident discomfort.
While Farrell had initially hoped that it was just an extreme case of cramp, it turned out to be worse than that.
Tomos Williams (pictured) has been ruled out for the remainder of the Lions tour in what's been described as 'desperately sad news' for the 30-year-old
Williams damaged his hamstring (pictured) while scoring in the Lions' 54-7 demolition of the Western Force in Perth
The loss of Williams - who was named Premiership Player of the Year - is the first serious blow to the tourists on their journey down under
Scotland's Ben White (pictured) will fill the hole left by Williams' departure
‘Unfortunately Tomos has been ruled out of the rest of the tour with a hamstring injury,’ said the head coach, after naming his line-up to face the Reds on Wednesday, here in the Queensland state capital, at Suncorp Stadium.
‘Ben White will join us from the Scotland squad and will fly over from New Zealand.’
The Lions tour manager responded to the grim bulletin about his compatriot by adding: ‘This is desperately sad news for Tomos and we wish him all the very best in his recovery.
'Tomos is an exemplary Lion who has had a brilliant season. He lit up this Lions tour with both his personality and his talent.’
White is a pedigree replacement who has won 29 Test caps to date, but he is destined to serve as the back-up to leading pair Jamison Gibson-Park – the Ireland scrum-half who is returning from injury against the Reds – and England’s Alex Mitchell.
Gibson-Park will partner Finn Russell, who retains his place at 10 for the next tour match, in an overhauled team captained by Maro Itoje.
