Irish prop Tadhg Furlong has replaced Zander Fagerson in the starting line-up for the British & Irish Lions' match with Japan on Saturday due to the Scot suffering a back spasm, head coach Warren Gatland announced on Thursday. Fagerson is the second Scotland player to be ruled out of the match which is being played at Murrayfield. Flanker Hamish Watson withdrew on Wednesday after suffering a head knock in training and has to undergo the return-to-play protocols for concussion. Furlong was one of the stand out players under Gatland in the epic drawn three-Test series in 2017 with then world champions New Zealand. The Lions leave the day after the match for their tour of South Africa which culminates in a three Test series with the world champions.

Source: News 24 June 24, 2021 09:11 UTC