Lions tour:British and Irish Lions manager Gerald Davies said Jerry Flannery and Leigh Halfpenny's replacements will not be announced until tomorrow.

Former Ireland captain Keith Wood has backed Rory Best to replace the injured Flannery after the Munster hooker was ruled out of contention last night when it was confirmed he chipped a bone in his left elbow in training.

Head coach Ian McGeechan will be looking towards the likes of Best, Scotland's Ross Ford and possibly England's Steve Thompson or George Chuter to fill the vacancy.

"Without playing the Irish card - and one of the most important things with the Lions is that you leave your nationalistic bias at the door - I would have plumped for Rory Best in the original squad," said Wood, the former Lions and Ireland hooker.

"I just think he has the level of size and doggedness about him that is necessary."

Wood admitted he is "absolutely gutted" for Flannery, who would have flown to South Africa on Sunday night as favourite for the hooker's jersey in the first Test.

"I know him personally. He has worked very hard. He is a guy who always plays with his heart on his sleeve. He will have trained like that this week," said Wood. "I feel very sorry for him. He was looking to fulfil one of his ambitions and it weakens the Lions.

"He has been comfortably the best hooker in the last two seasons. He throws unbelievably well and against Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield accuracy is paramount."

The Lions also lost Alan Quinlan from their original selection after his 12-week ban was upheld, with Tom Croft to replace the Munster flanker.

Halfpenny, the Cardiff winger, will not depart for South Africa with the squad after his thigh injury proved worse than first feared.

McGeechan insists Halfpenny will return to the tour once he is fully fit.