Rugby Union News
O'Driscoll and Jones sent home from Lions tour
The British and Irish Lions' hopes of avoiding a series whitewash in South Africa have suffered a huge setback after two of their leading stars, Brian O'Driscoll and Adam Jones, were sent home from the Cape due to injury. Both players were forced to leave the field during Saturday's 28-25 defeat to the Springboks in Pretoria.That loss sealed victory in the series for the hosts, and it is now likely that the Lions will fall to their second successive 3-0 series defeat when the final Test takes place this Saturday in Johannesburg.
Centre O'Driscoll is suffering from concussion, while Jones, the prop, dislocated his shoulder in a challenge from Bakkies Botha that has since earned the Sprinbok a two-week ban.
But O'Driscoll, who captained the Lions during their 2005 tour of New Zealand, said he was privileged to have been part of this tour under Ian McGeechan.
"Being a part of the 2009 British & Irish Lions squad has been one of the highlights of my career," said the Irishman.
"We were unbeaten leading into the Test matches and it is a shame that the results in the Tests did not go our way but sport comes down to fine margins at times.
"We could easily have won the first two Tests but it wasn't to be. I have decided to return home to my family this week after a very long season and to ensure I give myself every opportunity to recuperate."