Easterby reveals positive scan for Kinghorn eight days out from Lions Test

British & Irish Lions Assistant coach Simon Easterby. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

The British & Irish Lions insist Blair Kinghorn has a chance of passing fit for the first Test against Australia in eight days but there is confidence from within the coaching group that rival full-back Hugo Keenan has all the attributes to stake his claim to the 15 jersey.

Keenan starts at full-back at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday against a strong AUSNZ Invitational XV, the Lions’ final tour match before the Test series with the Wallabies gets underway in Brisbane seven days later.

After a difficult start to his tour when the Irishman’s Lions debut was delayed until game three against the Waratahs in Sydney last Saturday, Keenan has been presented with a shot at Test selection if he lives up to expectation and finds form in Adelaide.

Kinghorn sustained a knee injury in last Wednesday’s win over the Brumbies, considered serious enough to call up Jamie Osborne from Ireland’s tour in Portugal. Lions defence coach Simon Easterby on Friday explained the versatile Leinster back would have only a training role on his arrival in Brisbane this Sunday and suggested Scotland and Toulouse’s Kinghorn could be back on the practice field himself ahead of the first Test.

“At the moment, sprained knee is what we're hearing,” Easterby said following training at the Adelaide Oval. “Obviously he didn't look great against the Brumbies and it was the right thing to do to pull him off. But actually, the scan has showed up way more positive than we'd hoped originally.

“We're hopeful that he'll take some part in next week and then it'll be a little bit of a waiting game in terms of whether he's available for the first Test.

“Not being a medical person, I'm not sure exactly the timeframes. But yes, it'll be one of those things that we'll just have to take day by day. Like a lot of these injuries throughout a tour, we'll give guys an opportunity to try and prove their fitness. And who knows? If it works out, great. If not, we've got good guys who are able to step up.” 

Easterby said Keenan would be “keen but not desperate” to make up for lost time in his second start for the Lions.

“He is pretty level-headed, he is pretty calm and he is just frustrated I guess that he hasn’t had the opportunity, or as much opportunity, to put on the jersey and perform. He will be keen but not desperate to impress tomorrow, I think everyone will.

“It is a really strong team we are putting out and going against a really strong outfit so it is a great challenge.

“You know the strengths of Blair but we have also got a couple of other very good options at 15. Hugo has obviously had a bit of illness and has not been able to take part fully in preparation for each game so tomorrow presents a really big opportunity for him to go well and have a really strong performance.” 

Easterby works regularly with Keenan in his role as Ireland defence coach and interim head coach for the last Six Nations and he knows the full-back’s value to a team.

“Whatever system he is in, he is a bit of a goalkeeper at the back, he talks brilliantly, his comms are good, his actions are better and his connections with the front line, all the things you want a 15 to be in defence he is all of that.

“And then, his ability on the ball and in the air, which is where the game is being challenged at the moment in terms of that aerial contest, so he has got everything Hugo has, and it is a perfect opportunity for him after having a good few days without any sickness. He is feeling a lot better and stronger and it is a great opportunity for him to stake a claim for next week.” 

The addition of Osborne to the touring party next week will bring the Irish playing contingent to 17, 13 of them from Leinster, a number from one club pointed out to Easterby by an English journalist that was equal to England’s representation.

“It is the first time we have thought about that but it’s certainly not something that we have thought about,” Easterby. “But those partnerships they help obviously, but you can see some really good partnerships being built from players from different clubs and different players from different countries.

“Obviously certain things in a short space of time will help. But I don’t think anyone has ever considered bringing in Jamie because he is a Leinster player or an Ireland player; he is just the right player.

“You saw in the Georgia game, he performed well and he performed well at the end of the season. He was always in the conversation like a lot of players were but because he has had great experiences with Leinster and with Ireland as well working with some great people.

“He’s stepped up for Ireland in Georgia and getting the feedback from Paul (O’Connell) over there and how he has gone on that tour is something that has impressed everyone. Him coming out here is brilliant. He will want to come out and get stuck in and if he gets an opportunity I am sure he will take it.”