Lions Tour: Luger out of Saturday's game

Dan Luger has been ruled out of the Lions’ team for Saturday’s game against New South Wales at the Sydney Football Stadium.

England wing Luger suffered a facial injury after being involved in an accidental collision with flanker Neil Back during training today.

Luger’s place in the team will be taken by his England colleague, Jason Robinson, while Ben Cohen takes over from Robinson among the substitutes.

Luger returned to the team hotel ahead of his squad colleagues, and was accompanied by a Lions doctor, James Robson.

"Dan will receive a further assessment tomorrow, and an update will be given tomorrow evening," said Lions manager Donal Lenihan.

Luger is rated a certainty to start the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday week, and it would be a massive set-back for coach Graham Henry if his injury was to prove serious.

Luger’s withdrawal came just hours after it was announced that centre Mike Catt would play no further part on the 10-match trip.

Catt has suffered a recurrence of calf muscle trouble, playing less than 40 minutes on tour, and he will be replaced by Welsh international Scott Gibbs.