Healy waits to learn fate over alleged bite

Cian Healy’s British and Irish Lions tour could be over in the next 24 hours.

The Ireland prop faces a disciplinary hearing in Brisbane today after being cited for allegedly biting Western Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan during yesterday’s game at Patersons Stadium.

Healy, 25, could land a minimum 12-week ban if the case is proved, which would end his tour.

But the 39 times-capped forward is also braced for further assessment on an ankle injury that forced his early exit from the clash in Perth.

Alex Corbisiero is already on his way from the England tour to Argentina - flying via Buenos Aires, Santiago and Sydney – to join the Lions as injury cover for Healy.

Match citing officer, South African Freek Burger, asked Sheehan to provide him with a statement following the game after he made a biting allegation to referee Glen Jackson during the match.

The game was held up while television match official Glenn Newman looked at replays from different angles of any alleged offence, but nothing materialised from that footage.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland said: “Cian has had an X-ray and, while his left ankle is not broken, he will be assessed further when we get to Brisbane.

“In the meantime, we need to get Alex over here as soon as possible, and I am thankful to (England head coach) Stuart Lancaster for letting him go so quickly.”

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins is set to make his first appearance of the tour when the Lions tackle the Reds on Saturday, but it is feasible that Corbisiero could be involved against a combined New South Wales/Queensland Country XV in Newcastle next Tuesday.

Gatland will announce his team to face the Reds today, with tour captain Sam Warburton set for a first start of the trip, along with Jenkins and England scrum-half Ben Youngs.

And the Lions left Perth following another try-laden display that was underpinned by full-back Leigh Halfpenny’s 100% goalkicking return from nine conversions and two penalties.

In two games against the Barbarians and Western Force, the Lions have racked up 128 points and 17 tries, although the Reds are set to provide far sterner opposition this weekend.

“Ideally, we would like to be playing against the strongest sides that we possibly can, and if we can’t then we are going to have to replicate some of it in training,” Gatland added.

“It’s something we learnt from 2009. We arrived at that first Test against South Africa thinking we were in pretty good nick, and it was a big step up. I don’t think we will get caught this time.

“We’ve got players who can get across the gain-line. If we can get quick ball and the forwards can get us on the front foot as well, then we have got the potential to be really dangerous.”