Blair Kinghorn is facing a tight deadline to be ready for the British and Irish Lions’ opening Test against Australia, after suffering a sprained knee in Wednesday’s clash with the ACT Brumbies.
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Initial fears of another backline blow—after Elliot Daly was forced to return home with a fractured forearm—have been eased. Scans on Kinghorn’s knee have returned more positively than first expected, offering hope he could yet feature on July 19 in Brisbane.
With the Scotland star viewed as the frontrunner for the No.15 jersey, the Lions are giving him every opportunity to prove his fitness. Jamie Osborne has been called up as cover, with Kinghorn unlikely to resume training until next week.
Simon Easterby, the Lions’ defence coach, confirmed that the situation remains fluid but optimistic.
“Blair didn’t look great against the Brumbies and it was the right call to take him off,” said Easterby. “But the scan showed up far better than we feared.”
“We’re hopeful he’ll be back in training by Tuesday. Then it becomes a bit of a waiting game. We’ll see how he responds and give him every chance to be available for that first Test.”
That would leave Kinghorn just 48 hours to prove his readiness before the team is named on Thursday.
“These things are often touch and go,” Easterby added. “We’ll take it day by day. And if it doesn’t work out, we’ve got strong depth and guys who are ready to step in.”
Kinghorn’s fitness watch now begins—the Lions will be hoping their first-choice full-back wins the race against time.
EDITORS PICKS:
Four British & Irish Lions selections Andy Farrell got wrong
Andy Farrell's Lions squad was always going to ruffle feathers — and it hasn’t disappointed. While there’s plenty of talent in the touring party, some of the omissions have left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.
From in-form veterans to world-class game-breakers, a handful of players have every right to feel hard done by. Selection is never easy, but Farrell's calls in these four cases feel more like missteps than masterstrokes.
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Here are four British & Irish Lions selections Farrell got badly wrong…
1. Courtney Lawes – The French Renaissance Ignored
One word: class. Lawes has been rolling back the years at Brive, bossing it in France with the same bruising physicality and smart leadership that made him a Lions mainstay.
Yes, he's 36. Yes, he's stepped away from England duty. But are we seriously saying that counts more than actual form?
Farrell went with James Ryan instead — a solid lock on his day, sure, but he’s barely shown up on this tour. Anonymous in open play, average in the tight.
Hooked early in the second half when he did start. Meanwhile, Lawes is watching on from his vineyard.
2. Jack Willis – The Toulouse Titan Left Behind
This one’s just criminal. Willis has been on fire for Toulouse — arguably the best flanker in Europe, possibly even the world, and yet left at home? Come off it.
He’s dominating Top 14 games alongside world-class names and still gets overlooked because he’s not been playing Test rugby recently?
Ludicrous. If form counts for anything, Willis walks into this squad. And right now, the Lions back row could really use him.
3. Darcy Graham – Small in Size, Giant in Impact
Left out for being... too exciting? Farrell has clearly opted for size and structure over spark, picking Duhan van der Merwe and Mack Hansen instead. But Graham is a walking highlight reel — electric pace, dazzling footwork, and a nose for the try-line.
Hansen’s done little to justify his inclusion, yet keeps getting chances. Graham? Watching from home. Feels like a serious missed opportunity.
4. Freddie Steward – Safe Hands, Strange Snub
Still scratching our heads over this one. Steward is the best aerial fullback in the game. Dependable under pressure. Defensive rock. And in a brutal Test series, you want someone you can trust at the back.
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But Farrell wanted more flair. Fine — but when Blair Kinghorn went down, the call went not to Steward, but to Ireland’s James Osborne, with just eight caps to his name. A fullback selection that made absolutely no sense.
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