LIST: 5 Lions hopefuls who saw their chances rocked this weekend

Sunday, 25 April 2021 at 17:27

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byRugby Rucker

These five Lions contenders saw their chances rocked by injuries or poor performances as the countdown to the squad announcement gets into full swing.

Gatland will confirm his 36-man travelling party to. face the Springboks on 6 May.

The lack of travel across multiple times zones to get to South Africa, allied with the Lions not having a midweek match leading into the first Test next July, were the reasons why Gatland said his squad number would be reduced, adding that the forwards/backs split could potentially be 20/15.

#1. George North

The powerhouse is facing an anxious 48 hour wait to learn whether the injury he suffered on Saturday afternoon will rule him out of British and Irish Lions contention. Early in the second half of the Ospreys' 36-14 Rainbow Cup victory over the Cardiff Blues, North went down in agony, clutching his right knee. FULL STORY

BBC Sport Wales

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George North faces an anxious wait to see whether he will be fit for a third British and Irish Lions tour after suffering a leg injury yesterday 👉 bbc.in/3etSee3

10:05 AM · Apr 25, 2021

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#2. Johnny Sexton

For the second time in his career, the Ireland fly-half has been stood down from action after a succession of head injuries. In 2015, the then Racing 92 out-half was given 12 weeks out of the game by French neurologist Dr Jean-Francois Chermann and, yesterday, Leinster confirmed that he will miss Saturday’s tie with Munster after being replaced following a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) for the third time in nine weeks against Exeter Chiefs. FULL STORY

Rúaidhrí O'Connor

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Johnny Sexton is out of Saturday's meeting with Munster after his latest head injury. Leinster are seeking further assessment on their captain who has not come back on after Head Injury Assessments in three games since early Feb

1:20 PM · Apr 19, 2021

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#3. Kyle Sinckler

Up against Ben Moon as Bristol took on Exeter Chiefs, Sinckler worrying at times struggled under pressure in the scrum, conceding a penalty for pulling it down as well as being pushed backwards at times. Although still likely to make the squad, this poor performance will do him no favours in his battle tos start

#4. Garry Ringrose

A first outing for Leinster since his March 14 injury for Ireland at Scotland, there was rustiness in defence while he also lost the ball in one first-half collision with Chris Farrell. Overall he looked poor before he was replaced after 58 minutes.

eir Sport

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"There's no better place to challenge himself than against Damian De Allende and Chris Farrell." @stringer9 and @Gordonwdarcy says Leinster captain Garry Ringrose needs to shine against Munster at the RDS. #LEIvMUN #GuinnessPRO14RainbowCup

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6:34 PM · Apr 24, 2021

#5. Joe Launchbury

The Wasps and England second-row saw his hopes of a first British and Irish Lions tour appear in serious danger after suffering a knee injury. He twisted awkwardly in the 32nd minute of Wasps' Gallagher Premiership round 17 clash with Bath at the Ricoh Arena. FULL STORY

Wasps Rugby

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32' WASPS REPLACEMENT- OFF: @joe_launch - ON: @LeviDouglas007 Levi Douglas had just come off for Will Rowlands to retake his place. However, captain Joe Launchbury is now forced of. Brad Shields is now Wasps' captain. Best wishes for a quick recovery @joe_launch 🐝 5 - 5 🛁