The first available players for the 2025 British & Irish Lions assembled in Dublin ahead of a six-day training camp in Portugal.
The squad will travel to Quinta da Lago tomorrow, with those involved in the Premiership Rugby and URC finals, joining the squad in Ireland next week ahead of the 1888 Cup match in Dublin against Argentina.
Scotland and Glasgow Warriors tight-head prop Zander Fagerson has been ruled out of the Tour with a calf injury, with Ireland and Connacht’s Finlay Bealham called up to replace him.
England’s Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour will also travel to Portugal to train with the squad.
Saracens hooker George was a Lions Tourist in 2017 and 2021 - while Sale Sharks prop Opoku-Fordjour made his debut for England against Japan last November.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said:
“It’s tough on Zander to miss out so close to the Tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group. This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that. But it’s great to finally be at the stage where we can get onto the training ground and get to work with these players.“Portugal will be really important for us as we look to get our house in order with only a few training sessions before we take on Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin.”