CIAN HEALY’S LIONS Tour is in the balance this evening.
The Leinster forward has been cited for an alleged bite during the British and Irish Lions’ comprehensive win over Western Force at the start of their Australian tour this afternoon.
The all-star visitors swamped a second-string Force team nine tries to two, led by a brace from stand-in captain Brian O’Driscoll and a peerless 11-from-11 place-kicking performance by Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny. However, the training-style romp, widely expected after the hosts rested most of their best players, ended on a sour note with Healy stretchered off and also faced disciplinary proceedings.
The tourists’ fears have been justified this evening as officials have confirmed the Dubliner will face a citing commission at 10.30am Irish time tomorrow.
Citing commissioner Freek Burger took a statement from Force scrum half Brett Sheehan, who had claimed in the first half that he was bitten by Healy during a melee. Video replays at the time were inconclusive. Previous sanctions for biting have been heavy but Healy could be facing a spell on the sidelines anyway after going off with suspected ankle ligament damage and being sent to hospital for X-rays.
“I know much about it as you know,” Lions head coach Warren Gatland told reporters afterwards. “I think the citing guy has had a look at it and he can’t find anything.”
The RFU have confirmed that Alex Corbisiero has been called up to replace Healy meanwhile, meaning he leaves their tour of Argentina.
“We’re delighted for Alex,” said England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster. “It’s very pleasing for him after he missed the Six Nations through injury and he goes with our full support and blessing. All the England players and management couldn’t be more pleased for him to get this opportunity.”
England have no plans to add a replacement to their squad at this stage.
Burger was also investigating claims that Ireland scrum half Conor Murray had trampled Force youngster Ed Stubbs, meanwhile, in what could be a costly evening for the visitors ahead of the Test series with Australia.
