Byrne out of Lions tour

Wales full-back Lee Byrne’s British and Irish Lions tour is over.

Byrne will return home in the next couple of days because of an injury to his left thumb.

He started last Saturday’s first Test defeat against South Africa in Durban, but was replaced by Ireland full-back Rob Kearney just before half-time.

Kearney retains the number 15 shirt for the second Test in Pretoria this weekend.

Ospreys star Byrne was tipped to be a star of the tour, given his outstanding form in Wales colours last season, but injury has now put paid to him playing any further part in the Test series.

He made four starts on the 10-match trip – against South Africa, the Royal XV, Cheetahs and Sharks – scoring two tries.