Andy Powell and Stephen Ferris have been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' tour match against a Royal XV on Saturday.
Powell and Ferris unfit for tour opener
Injuries to Andy Powell and Stephen Ferris have forced the British and Irish Lions into a late double change for the South African tour opener against a Royal XV in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Powell, who was due to start at number eight, is sidelined by a hand problem which is understood to have been caused by an insect bite.
The Welshman will be replaced by Munster's David Wallace, while the place on the bench due to be filled by flanker Ferris is instead taken by his Ireland team-mate Jamie Heaslip.
Ferris suffered a calf muscle problem in training this week.
Tour manager Gerald Davies said: "Both players suffered injuries this week in training and unfortunately their recovery has been slower than anticipated."
Sensible
Team doctor James Robson added: "After treatment and further assessment of the injuries the medical staff believe precaution is the sensible option considering we are at the start of the tour.
"On this advice head coach Ian McGeechan believed it was better for the two players and the squad that they not play in the first match today.
"Both players are undergoing recovery regimes with the medical staff and both players are expected to recover and play a role on tour.
"It is important to understand that the management of injuries and their treatment is not black and white. One minute an injury will respond to treatment, then its nature can change, necessitating a change in the treatment regime.
"That is why we are continually monitoring the players and any injuries."
