Lions Tour:Cardiff and Wales winger Leigh Halfpenny will not travel to South Africa with the British & Irish Lions tour party on Sunday, May 24th.

He will return to Cardiff tomorrow where he will undergo treatment for an existing thigh injury that has proved more significant than first thought.

The Lions medical team have confirmed the injury requires at least 10-14 days treatment following a scan yesterday. The Lions management team believe Halfpenny is better to receive intensive treatment in Cardiff.

“Management have always had the expectation that travelling players should be fit to play the first game on tour,” today’s statement read.

“A replacement player will be announced in due course. However, once Leigh Halfpenny is fully fit he will rejoin the Lions in South Africa.

“This will take the tour party back to 37 players as originally announced but was reduced to 36 following the injury to Welsh centre Tom Shanklin.”