Alan Quinlan’s appeal against a 12-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Leo Cullen has failed, meaning the Munster and Ireland forward will definitely miss the Lions tour to South Africa.
Quinlan was suspended when video pictures showed he had made contact with Cullen’s right eye during Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Leinster on 2 May.
His original 12-week ban was upheld by a panel chaird by Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland and Rod McKenzie, also of Scotland and Jeff Blackett of England.
Because the off-season is not included in any ban, Quinlan will not be eligible to resume playing until 10 September this year.
With Quinlan now definitely ruled out of the Lions tour due to depart for South Africa on Sunday, a new player is expected to be called up to replace him.
Lions management had already revealed they had identified a player - thought to be Leicester Tiger Tom Croft - to replace Quinlan in the event of his appeal proving unsuccessful.
