Court called up, O'Connell doubtful
Ireland prop Tom Court has been called up to the British and Irish Lions while lock Paul O’Connell is doubtful for the remainder of the tour.
Court has been called up as cover for Alex Corbisiero, who injured a calf muscle in the Lions' 23-21 win over the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday and is being assessed ahead of this weekend's second Test in Melbourne.
Australian-born Court was in Brisbane this weekend after Ireland's tour of North America and will go straight on to the replacements bench for Tuesday's tour game against the Melbourne Rebels.
Team officials said this will allow them to keep Mako Vunipola fresh in case he needs to start the second Test for Corbisiero.
Ulster's Court becomes the eighth player called up as an injury reinforcement for the Lions touring party in Australia.
There were also reports on Sunday that Irish lock and former Lions captain O'Connell has an arm injury and was in question for the rest of the tour.
O'Connell, 33, is making his third successive Lions tour and skippered the Lions four years ago in South Africa.
He has started the last seven Lions Tests and has amassed 85 international caps for his country.
He continues to be treated and assessed.
British and Irish Lions – revised: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Geoff Parling (captain), 4 Richie Gray, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Tom Court, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Ian Evans, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Stuart Hogg.
Date: Tuesday, June 25
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.40 (10.40 UK & Ireland time, 09.40 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Craig Joubert (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
AFP
