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Rob Kearney to miss Lions double-header

Kearney to miss Lions double-header
© PA Photos
Rob Kearney will miss at least the next two British and Irish Lions tour matches with a hamstring injury.

British and Irish Lions full-back Rob Kearney is likely to miss his side's next two tour games after suffering a tear in his hamstring.

The Ireland international was absent from the tourists' 59-8 win over the Barbarians in Hong Kong on Saturday and now looks certain to be unavailable for Wednesday's meeting with Western Force and their clash with Queensland Reds at the weekend.

Head coach Warren Gatland admits that the injury to Kearney, who pulled out of Leinster's Pro 12 final against Ulster last month, is causing "a little bit of concern".

"We will have to see how he responds and potentially if it doesn't heal as quickly as we might like, then we will have to put some plans in place [for a replacement]," said Gatland. "But we want to give him a bit of time. He had a scan in Hong Kong and the medics have put a plan in place for the next week or so.

"We feel like we have enough cover at the moment with Leigh Halfpenny and Stuart Hogg, and Sean Maitland has also played at full-back in the past.

"We just have to see how he progresses, and whether he hits some markers within a certain time-frame."

The Lions face Western Force at the Patersons Stadium in Australia in their second tour match on Wednesday.

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Matt Cotton
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