Lions Tour:Brian O'Driscoll has been ruled out of Saturday's final British and Irish Lions Test against South Africa and will fly home to Dublin tomorrow. As in New Zealand four years ago, O'Driscoll has seen his Lions adventure ended by injury inside the distance.
Ireland’s Grand Slam winning captain will leave tomorrow, along with Wales prop Adam Jones, missing the third Test at Ellis Park.
O’Driscoll, the 2005 Lions skipper in New Zealand, was concussed following a crunching collision with Springboks substitute Danie Rossouw during the agonising 28-25 second Test defeat in Pretoria three days ago.
His 2005 tour ended in the first minute of the opening Test after he was spear-tackled by All Blacks players Keven Mealamu and Tana Umaga.
The Heineken Cup-winning Leinster centre has been one of the Lions’ stars of their 10-match South Africa trip, forging an outstanding midfield combination with Welshman Jamie Roberts.
O’Driscoll had begun to follow medical protocol for concussion yesterday, but the 30-year-old was soon ruled out of contention.
“Being a part of the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad has been one of the highlights of my career,” he said. “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.”
O’Driscoll might never be seen in a Lions shirt again, but he could hardly have done more to try to secure a repeat of Test series glory in South Africa 12 years ago.
His displays during the first two Tests had ‘world class’ stamped all over them, yet he now becomes the 12th Lions casualty since head coach Ian McGeechan named his squad in April.
Injuries meant Jerry Flannery, Tom Shanklin and Tomas O’Leary did not make the flight from London, while a 12-week suspension wrecked Munster flanker Alan Quinlan’s tour hopes prior to departure.
And since arriving in South Africa, the Lions have lost O’Driscoll, Jones, Stephen Ferris, Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne, Euan Murray, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins.
Adam Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder after being the victim of a dangerous charge by Bakkies Botha that earned the uncompromising Springboks lock a two-week ban.
Jones, who had performed a mighty job in the Lions front row at Loftus Versfeld, had to have the shoulder joint put back into place under anaesthetic.
He will now work with the Ospreys medical staff as he battles to be fit for the start of next season.
“When he arrives back, we will take a close look at him and assess his condition fully,” said Ospreys physiotherapist Chris Towers. “We will then consult with specialists before any decision can be made regarding the management of his injury and any anticipated lay-off.”
Jones added: “It is always disappointing to be ruled out of a Test series through injury, but I am proud of what the squad and I have achieved on the tour.
“Personally, I will always remember playing in the two first Tests, and especially running on for my debut in the starting XV at Loftus Versfeld. My heart will be with the boys on Saturday.”
O’Driscoll, Jones and Jenkins were among five Lions players taken to hospital after a second Test of savage intensity.
Jenkins will remain with the tour party, and has a review appointment with a surgeon on Friday. The Lions management have no plans to call for any replacement players.
Roberts (wrist) and wing Tommy Bowe (elbow), meanwhile, continue to be assessed on a daily basis, but Lions doctor James Robson reported they were making “encouraging progress”.
The Lions have now regrouped in Johannesburg following 36 hours on safari in Limpopo Province north of South Africa’s capital.
Head coach Ian McGeechan is due to name his starting line-up on Thursday, with Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery looking set to fill the prop vacancies, and England centre Riki Flutey or Keith Earls replacing O’Driscoll.
