O’Leary could be the first Lions casualty
• O'Leary taken to hospital after suffering suspected broken ankle
• Scotland's Chris Cusiter heads the list of possible replacements
The Lions seem to have suffered their first casualty before the squad have even assembled when Munster's scrum-half Tomas O'Leary suffered a suspected broken ankle in tonight's Magners League game against Llanelli in Cork.
O'Leary was carried off midway through the first half after a horrific twist of an ankle in an accidental collision with one of his own players and was taken for x-rays. He had been a slightly surprising inclusion in the Lions squad alongside Wales's Mike Phillips and England's Harry Ellis and had come with a late run of impressive form. He will also miss next weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster.
The injury looks likely to open the door for Scotland to increase their representation of two – Nathan Hines and Euan Murray – with Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair in the running to replace O'Leary. Wales's Dwayne Peel and England's Danny Care will also be on the contenders' list but it is believed Cusiter, despite not starting every week for Perpignan, is next in line.
The incident marred Munster's 10th straight win in all competitions as they beat the Scarlets 29–10. Tries from Ian Dowling, David Wallace, Keith Earls and Denis Leamy helped Munster move onto 58 points, meaning the title will be theirs if Ospreys fail to gain a point against Edinburgh tomorrow.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
 |
Hottest NFL Cheerleaders
Girls with short skirts and pom-pons root on their teams.
|
 |
10 Weirdest College Mascots
Sometimes it's better to just not have school spirit.
|
 |
So, Uh, Is Sammy Sosa Bleaching His Skin?
The slugger is looking significantly paler these days.
|
