Ferris Out, Ryan Jones Called Up

09/06/09 19:00 Filed in: Injuries | Reserves | Squad
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Much to the chagrin of British & Irish Lions fans everywhere, Stephen Ferris has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to a severe knee injury. Just a day after the management and medical staff were singing about the incredible good health of the touring party, another player has been forced off the tour, while the fate of Leigh Halfpenny remains in the balance.

Welsh skipper, Ryan Jones, a surprise omission at the start of the tour, has been called up as cover and will remain with the tourists for the rest of the trip.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the call-up, Geech said, "Ryan Jones has been called up to replace Stephen Ferris who unfortunately sustained a knee injury during Monday afternoon's training. He twisted his right knee in a training drill and following a medical assessment it was decided that he should undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury."

"He had the scan on Tuesday morning that showed he had a grade two tear to his medial collateral ligament. This usually requires a four to six week recovery period and is severe enough to mean he will miss the rest of the tour. Therefore with six matches left on tour after Wednesday's match against the Sharks we believe we need to fly out a replacement as cover for the backrow."

"Ryan is on the standby reserve list and of course has been playing for Wales over the last few weeks in the USA and Canada. He will fit right in as he knows a lot of the players and of course he was a Lions replacement on the 2005 tour to New Zealand. In fact on that tour he showed how competitive he is as an individual by forcing his way into the Test side for all thee matches against the All Blacks."

Ryan Jones hasn't had the best season, but he has a track record of making an impact as a late call up. In 2005 Jones was called up as cover for the injured Simon Taylor before going on to play in all three test matches. On what was a quite disastrous tour, Jones, along with Irishman Simon Easterby, were particular standouts. As I saw it written over on the Times website the other day, 'Jones went on to become a beacon in the darkness'. We all hope he can produce the same sort of form in South Africa.

Stephen Ferris is a huge loss and we send him our best wishes and condolences. Anyone who has watched Living With Lions will know exactly how he must feel at the moment... All the best Stephen, you were playing some cracking stuff and will be missed.
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