Ireland winger Simon Zebo has been drafted into the British and Irish Lions squad for the Australia tour as cover for fellow countryman Tommy Bowe.
Ireland winger Simon Zebo has been drafted into the British and Irish Lions squad for the Australia tour as cover for fellow countryman Tommy Bowe, who suffered a hand injury in the warm-up win over Queensland Reds on Saturday.
Bowe has already undergone a minor operation and there remains hope that he can recover in time to play some part later in the tour.
However, with the first Test less than two weeks away on June 22, it is thought he will definitely miss the opener and the selectors have opted to call-up Zebo as a result.
Zebo played for Ireland in their 15-12 win over the US Eagles on Saturday but was then contacted by Guy Richardson, who has asked the Munster man to make the trip Down Under for the rest of the Lions tour.
Confirming the news, Zebo admitted he was delighted to get the call.
He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. It is the best news I could ever have dreamed of.
“As a professional (Irish) rugby player the ultimate goal is to be a British and Irish Lion. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do that if I get my cap. That is something I have to work towards now.”
Lions head coach Warren Gatland does believe Bowe can recover in time to feature later in the three-Test tour.
He said: “The surgeon told him if everything goes alright it could be just a couple of weeks. Once the plate goes in his hand the bone is fixed, basically.”
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