Rugby: It is understood Munster flanker Alan Quinlan is set to appeal against his 12-week ban in the hope of still booking his place on the upcoming British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.
The 34-year-old was effectively ruled out of the Lions touring party after he picked up a 12-week ban when found guilty of “making contact with the eye area” of Leinster captain Leo Cullen during their Heineken Cup semi-final defeat at Croke Park.
The ban would rule Quinlan out of action until September 9th but the BBC understands the international will appeal the ban. The veteran was seen as something of s surprise inclusion in Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad.
Quinlan was picked ahead of players like Wales captain Ryan Jones and England's Tom Croft, who has been widely expected to be called up as his replacement.
McGeechan has already had to make two changes to his squad, after Quinlan's Munster colleague Tomas O'Leary broke his ankle and Blues centre Tom Shanklin dislocated his shoulder.
Scotland skipper Mike Blair replaces O'Leary, but no replacement for Shanklin has been named yet.
The Lions squad will meet in Surrey, England on Monday before they depart for South Africa six days later.
The opening game of the 10-match tour is against a Royal XV in Rustenburg on May 30th. The three Test matches against world champions South Africa take place in Durban (June 20th), Pretoria (June 27th) and Johannesburg (July 4th).
