Trio return for final Lions Test but ‘devastated' Garry Ringrose misses out
All three have completed their rehab for their respective foot, hamstring and foot injuries and took part in Tuesday's low-key training session.
Back to Sydney for the last dance! 🙌🦁#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/IZ0v2CVuba
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 28, 2025
However, Ringrose has been left 'devastated' as the 12-day minimum return-to-play protocol for concussion means he will miss the entirety of a series which he entered as first choice outside centre.
The Ireland star self-reported his concussion symptoms shortly before the team for the second Test was named last Thursday, resulting in his withdrawal from the starting XV.
'Garry was playing some amazing rugby throughout this tour,' attack coach Andrew Goodman said.
'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.
'He's disappointed for himself, but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.'
Andy Farrell announces his team for the third Test on Thursday and must decide to what extent he should freshen up his matchday 23 given they went toe to toe with the Wallabies for 80 gripping minutes at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
There is also the question of whether to rotate in players as reward for those who have missed out so far in the series, but Goodman has discounted this approach.
'It will be the best team available to win the series. That might look like some changes, that might look like consistency,' he said.
'You've got to reward form when guys have been playing well and are match-hardened in those Test matches. It is a balance.'
The Lions celebrated their success with friends and family for two days but have now hardened their resolve to become the first side to record a whitewash since the 1927 visit to Argentina and first side to go unbeaten in the Tests since the 1974 expedition to South Africa.
'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about,' Goodman said.
'It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group.
'Andy has been massive on that since the start, his expectation not just of the players but us as management and coaches to be the most successful team.
'It has been driving us not just as players, but as a management group every day to get better every day and push each other forward.
'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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
43 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lions' clean sweep hopes washed away by Wallabies in stormy Sydney finale
So much for the British & Irish Lions' winner-takes-it-all ambitions. This was far from their finest hour and almost nothing went to plan on a filthy Sydney night. Instead, it was the Wallabies who concluded the series on a high, defying the wet conditions and a mid-game lightning storm delay to end visiting hopes of a 3-0 clean sweep. The Lions also had to contend with an increasingly savage injury toll, losing their captain, Maro Itoje, Tommy Freeman and James Ryan to failed head injury assessments before the teams were instructed to leave the field as a safety precaution. The score was 8-0 in the hosts' favour when play was halted at 9.12pm local time and play was suspended for 38 minutes. A 61st-minute try from Jac Morgan did give the Lions the faintest glimmer of hope, but it was the Wallabies who came away as the damp but delighted victors courtesy of an early try from Dylan Pietsch and second-half scores from Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott. Will Stuart's last-gasp score for the Lions was the slimmest of consolations and the series proved a rather closer contest than seemed likely at half-time in the first Test in Brisbane. The Wallabies will now be kicking themselves afresh for allowing a 23-5 lead to slip away in Melbourne in the second Test. As well as handling the conditions better, Joe Schmidt's side were tactically smarter and at barely any stage did the Lions look like achieving their first clean sweep on a multi-Test Lions tour since 1927. Their kicking game was mixed, their depleted lineout fell apart and Australia's back-row ultimately had more dynamic energy with and without the ball. This was the second time in two weeks that a Test has been halted for lightning, with Australia-Wales women's international in Brisbane having been similarly interrupted. The weather had been wild all day, turning the Manly ferry crossing into a rollercoaster ride and drenching spectators en route to the game. Australia, though, were not to be distracted from the task at hand and had a try on the board after seven minutes, a no-look pass from Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii giving the eager Pietsch the chance to dive into the left corner. As well as enjoying more territory and possession, the Wallabies were also looking to ruffle their opponents' composure, with both captains being instructed to control their players by the Georgia referee, Nika Amashukeli. The recalled Taniela Tupou was also enjoying some scrummaging success and the net result was a frustrating first half-hour for the visitors. When Fin Russell could not grasp a slippery ball and the Lions were again penalised at the ensuing scrum it summed up their problematic start. The outlook was about to get even worse. Itoje never leaves the pitch without good reason so his departure for a head injury assessment was a setback in itself. When he failed to return, it left Ollie Chessum to hold the fort alongside Ryan with Dan Sheehan taking over the captaincy. Australia were also forced into a reshuffle when Tom Lynagh, having stretched his side's lead by a further three points, copped a heavy hit from Sheehan and also failed his HIA. The trek to the medical room was increasingly becoming a procession, with Freeman also disappearing never to return. The most wince-inducing blow of the lot, though, was the one suffered by Ryan, who stooped to tackle the massive Will Skelton and was rewarded with a knee to the head. Play was halted for a considerable period before Ryan was transferred to a medical cart and driven away. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion If the Lions were hoping the lightning break would alter the rhythm of the contest they were to be sadly mistaken. Twelve minutes after the restart, Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn sought to shovel the ball to the left wing, but it went to ground and the pacy Jorgensen, not for the first time in the series, showed his predatory qualities to beat the cover. Morgan's consolation did at least ensure the Lions were not kept scoreless for the first time since 1983, but a defiant Australia were not to be denied. There was also some encouraging off-field news for the host nation, with the Lions chief executive, Ben Calverley, informing a pre-game roomful of top officials and VIPs that the touring team would definitely be returning to Australia. Australia: Wright; Jorgensen (Kellaway 78), Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch; Lynagh (Donaldson 34), White (McDermott 59); Slipper (Bell 58), Pollard (Paenga-Amosa 73), Tupou (Nonggorr 61), Frost, Skelton (Williams 64), Hooper (Gleeson 78), McReight, Pietsch, Jorgensen, McDermott. Cons: Donaldson 2. Pen: & Irish Lions: Keenan; Freeman (Farrell 38), Jones, Aki, Kinghorn; Russell, Gibson-Park (Mitchell 72); Porter (Genge 43), Sheehan (Kelleher 58), Furlong (Stuart 58), Itoje (Chessum 28), Ryan (Morgan 43), Beirne, Curry (Sheehan 69), Conan (Earl 64).Tries: Morgan, Stuart. Con: Kelleher Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) The Wallabies can also now claim to have made some significant on-field progress since hitting rock bottom at the 2023 World Cup. Build on this morale-boosting result and they could yet be in half-decent shape by the time they host the next edition in 2027. First, though, they have back-to-back Tests in South Africa to negotiate this month, starting in Johannesburg on 16 August. A big loss, should one materialise, would clearly put the overall outcome of this series into perspective, but maybe it is now the Springboks who may need to be watchful. As for the Lions, this tour has at least further underscored the brand's enduring appeal. While the average age of the sea of red at every Test continues to rise, edging out Australia in any kind of sporting series never grows old. This final stumble, though, was not an occasion they will remember with any great affection.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Andy Farrell backed to lead 2029 New Zealand tour despite Lions missing out on Test sweep in disappointing defeat by Australia
Andy Farrell opened the door to leading the Lions against New Zealand in 2029 despite the disappointing end to this tour of Australia. Farrell's first tour in charge saw the Lions lose the final Test and miss out on a clean sweep but the 50-year-old insisted he will fly home full of pride. He is favourite to lead the team again in four years, with senior players ready to throw their support behind him when the review begins. 'Everyone knows what I think about this concept,' said Farrell, when asked if he wants to lead the next tour. 'I love everything that the Lions is about and I've thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks. 'There's always ups and downs but the inner circle is a special place to be. Read into that what you want but I suppose four years, there's a long time between drinks, isn't there?' The Lions were outmuscled in the final Test in Sydney, which was interrupted by a lightning storm that resulted in a 40-minute delay in the second half. His team were outsmarted in the wet conditions and Farrell said: 'There is going to be frustration there. We wanted to win every game but the best team won on the night. 'I said to the lads it might take one, it might take two beers but they will be unbelievably proud of what they achieved throughout this tour. 'We all know how hard it is to be successful on a Lions tour against a good side like Australia, and they are a good side, they proved that over the series so, when we get a bit of time to ourselves, we will be unbelievably proud of what we have achieved. 'The legacy for us is in that changing room, the togetherness, not just of the players. The whole group has been an absolute delight to work with. 'We have played some outstanding rugby and that has accumulated into a performance last week that was an unbelievably special moment that will stay with us for ever.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Team GB star fights back tears after missing aunt's funeral to win British title
Britain's fastest man dedicated his 100m triumph in Birmingham to aunt Iola, whose funeral was taking place in Anguilla at same time as his race Zharnel Hughes fought back tears when dedicating his British 100m title to an aunt whose funeral was taking place while he was competing last night. The national record holder was comfortable enough to celebrate before the line, finishing three-hundredths ahead of Jeremiah Azu in a time of 9.94secs. But Hughes was consoled by world indoor champ Azu when stepping on to the podium and revealed that he had been battling his emotions while mourning the passing of Iola Ebanks in Anguilla. 'A very difficult day for me,' Hughes said. 'I was very close with her. 'Today was a bit of a mental strength game for me. I had to keep suppressing the insides and I couldn't speak with my family because I was getting too emotional. 'Jeremiah was trying to console me a little bit because I almost started crying but this win was for her. I know she would have loved to have seen this. I dedicate this win to my family and everyone back home.' There was a shock in the women's final as favourite Daryll Neita was disqualified for a false start before Amy Hunt ran a lifetime best 11.02secs to secure her place in next month's World Championships in Tokyo. Desiree Henry finished second to Hunt but must still run the 11.10secs qualifying time by August 26 to secure her spot. Hunt planned to toast Saturday night's win with a trip to Nando's but returns on Sunday for the 200m and a duel with Dina Asher-Smith. 'We're 1-1 in the head to head so far this year,' Hunt said. 'I'm ready to bring it. I want to win two titles.' Georgia Hunter Bell wants to win the national 800m title on Sunday afternoon before deciding whether to make a double run for gold at next month's World Championships. The 1500m Olympic bronze medallist plans to seek advice from Dame Kelly Holmes, who won both middle distance titles in Athens 21 years ago, about the logistics of targeting two distances. However with her team-mate and reigning Olympic champ Keely Hodgkinson yet to return from injury, Hunter Bell admits her path to a global title appears clearer over two laps. And that is largely down to Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon being so far ahead of the rest over 1500m. 'It's hard to see how you can get gold when she's in it,' said Hunter Bell after comfortably qualifying fastest from Saturday's trials heats, with Jemma Reekie next best. The top two will be guaranteed their seat on the plane. Hunter Bell's place over the longer distance in Tokyo is already secure thanks to her podium finish in Paris last summer. But she added: 'The 1500m is so good and this year has moved on from last year. Whereas the 800m is not as strong. 'So looking at it, at the end of the day you want to win a medal. There's stuff to consider but that's an issue for next week.' World indoor champion Molly Caudery was a class above in the pole vault - not joining the competition until a height of 4.35m that proved high enough for Tilly Hooper to claim silver. And after successfully making it over 4.85m, Caudery said: 'That was so much fun. I've just kind of been finding my flow again and figuring a few things out but it was really exciting to jump over the 80s again.' Elsewhere in the field Lawrence Okoye slung a championship record 65.93m for discus gold and promised: "There is quite a lot still to come because I didn't quite get it altogether out there." Anna Purchase also produced a championship record 72.96m in the hammer. But there was a surprise in the men's long jump as favourite Jacob Fincham-Dukes finished sixth while Alessandro Schenini leapt 7.85m to win. Alicia Barrett won the 100m hurdles and Scott Lincoln claimed his 20th national title in the shot put.
