Garry Ringrose will miss out on the chance of winning a Test cap for the British and Irish Lions after being ruled out of Saturday's final game against Australia due to concussion.
The centre had been due to start last week's second Test but withdrew from selection on Thursday after reporting concussive symptoms following the squad's training.
Having previously suffered concussion after the warm-up game versus the Brumbies, he will now face a mandatory 12-day period in the return to play protocols, which rules the 30-year-old out of contention for a final appearance on tour.
"He’s disappointed as you can imagine," attack coach Andrew Goodman (below) said, after confirming Ringrose’s tour is over.
"Garry was playing some amazing rugby through this tour. It’s been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he’s managed to do that. But he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it’s been devastating for him.
"To his credit, he’s been good around the group. As you can imagine, anyone that knows Garry, he’s a great lad and a team man so the boys have all been disappointed for him.
"Obviously he’s disappointed for himself but he’s getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.
"He’s a real leader for us in terms our backline in particular, so he’s been great."
The Lions returned to training this morning at the impressive Shore School in North Sydney, having been given an extra day off to celebrate Saturday’s 29-26 win, which has secured the Test series with a game to spare.
Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen (below) were involved in that session and are in contention to feature in this Saturday’s final game at Accor Stadium.
McCarthy missed Saturday’s win after suffering a foot injury in the first Test in Brisbane, while Hansen has missed the last four games on tour, but could come back into the squad this weekend.
And Goodman, who also works with the wing in his role as Ireland’s attack and backs coach, says Hansen plays a vital role in how the team want to play.
"I think everyone was impressed with Mack's efforts off the ball through the opportunities he's had; work rate, kick-chase, scramble defence, he works really well off his wing to make an extra number on the long edges. He communicates very well and I think all of the inside backs appreciate his composure off the ball and the chat he gives.
"It's been a big strength of his, his work off the ball but also his composure and the way he sees the game.
"He grew up playing a lot of 10 so he's really smart around what he sees and making the right calls off the back of that."
Goodman confirmed that management will meet on Tuesday evening and settle on their squad for the third Test before making a public announcement on Thursday.
And while he says while there would be a temptation to rotate the squad with the series in the bank, he says they will be giving Saturday’s game the respect it deserves as they look to complete a first unbeaten Lions Test series since 1974.
"There's some great competition, guys who haven't played Test matches and would die for the opportunity to do so.
"Again, we've got to do what's best for the squad and the 23. Cohesion versus freshness. It's going to be a long process as it always will when we sit down after dinner to have a good chat after that.
"Did you see Tadhg Furlong?... Everyone's seen that interview he gave. Someone like him has been on three tours and he doesn't want it to end. That's a prime example.
"It's probably going to be his last opportunity to wear a Lions jersey and it's been a massive part of his career.
"There are a number of guys in that boat who just want to keep going because it's a special time and they want to be part of history, finishing the tour off well. Whether it's your first tour or third tour, everyone wants to keep competing."
