Garry Ringrose ruled out of Lions' third Test against Wallabies
British & Irish Lions assistant coach Andrew Goodman confirmed that the Ireland centre, who missed the first two Tests having reported delayed symptoms before each of the matches against the Wallabies, had been required to enter the 12-day return to play protocols a second time.
Having missed the first Test in Brisbane after being stood down 12 days following his initial head injury, Ringrose returned for the Lions against the First Nations & Pasifika XV last Tuesday. He was then selected by head coach Andy Farrell for the second Test but experienced a return of his symptoms before the team was announced publicly, which prompted this second stand-down period.
'He's disappointed as you can imagine,' Goodman said following Tuesday's training session at North Sydney's Shore School.
'Garry was playing some amazing rugby through this tour and someone you know who it's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he's managed to do that. But he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it's been devastating for him.
'To his credit he's been good around the group. As you can imagine, anyone that knows Garry, he's a great lad and a team man so the boys have all been disappointed for him. Obviously he's disappointed for himself but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.
'He's a real leader for us in terms our backline in particular, so he's been great.'
The Lions welcomed Mack Hansen, Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu back to full training on Tuesday as focus turned to securing a 3-0 series sweep this weekend. Wing Hansen had sustained a foot injury in the final game before the first Test, lock McCarthy picked up a foot injury during the series opener while Tuipulotu was ruled out of the second Test with a tight hamstring.
'For this time of tour it's amazing how many people we've got available,' Goodman said. 'Unfortunately Garry has been ruled out of this Test match, but we have Mack, Joe, Sione all out there running today, so they're in contention.'
Asked specifically about Hansen, who had been in contention for a Test place on the right wing before his injury against the AUSNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide, the Lions attack coach said: 'I think everyone was impressed with Mack's efforts off the ball through the opportunities he's had; work rate kick-chase, scramble defence, he works really well off his wing to make an extra number on the long edges.
'He communicates very well and I think all of the inside backs appreciate his composure off the ball and the chat he gives. It's been a big strength of his, his work off the ball but also his composure and the way he sees the game.
'He grew up playing a lot of 10 so he's really smart around what he sees and making the right calls off the back of that.'
Goodman also spoke about the motivation within the Lions camp to complete a series whitewash over Australia at Accor Stadium this Saturday and finish the tour unbeaten in nine games on Australian soil, though they did lose to Argentina in Dublin on the eve of their departure Down Under.
'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about. It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group. It's one of those weeks where after two hard physical Tests it's about getting the battery filled up and making sure we're good to go by the end of the week.'
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