Tour over for Ferris as Lions’ curse strikes another Irish star

IRELAND’S Lions curse struck again last night with Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris packing his bags and heading home after a knee injury ruled him out of the tour to South Africa.

The Grand Slam winners’ once 14-strong representation in the Lions squad has now been reduced to 11 – and that includes the call-up for Gordon D’Arcy – after injuries to Tomás O’Leary, Jerry Flannery and Ferris, and the suspension of Alan Quinlan.

Confirmed Lions coach Ian McGeechan: “(Wales’) Ryan Jones has been called up to replace Stephen Ferris who unfortunately sustained a knee injury during Monday’s training. He twisted his right knee and, following a medical assessment, it was decided that he should undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.