Lions Add Prop Payne To Tour Squad

British & Irish Lions tour manager Gerald Davies and head coach Ian McGeechan have announced that London Wasps and England loosehead prop Tim Payne has been called into the Lions squad for the remainder of the tour.

Commenting on the call-up, Ian McGeechan said: “Tim Payne has been called up to provide essential cover for the front row as Andrew Sheridan is responding slowly to treatment for a sore back following the Southern Kings match.

“We simply can’t go into this week without sufficient cover at loosehead prop as we play the Emerging Springboks and the Springboks in the space of five days.

“Tim will arrive match fit having played in all three of England’s recent international matches against the Barbarians and Argentina.

“We are still hopeful that Andrew Sheridan will respond to the medical regime he is currently undergoing.”