Lions provide Blair Kinghorn update and call in cover from Ireland

The British & Irish Lions have provided a positive injury update for full-back Blair Kinghorn, but have called up Ireland’s Jamie Osborne as cover.

The Lions made the announcement soon after Osborne, 23, was named in the Ireland squad to take on Portugal this weekend in Lisbon.

Kinghorn limped from the GIO Stadium pitch in the first half of the Lions’ victory over the Brumbies on Wednesday, a week after fellow full-back Elliot Daly suffered a tour-ending fractured arm against the Reds.

Head coach Andy Farrell was positive after the match, saying the Scot was walking around and singing in his bed while being assessed, and this update is yet more good news for the Lions.

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However, with another game coming this Saturday against an Invitational AUNZ XV in Adelaide, a week before the first Test in Australia, and with full-back stocks running low, Osborne will provide cover as Kinghorn returns from the injury.

The Lions have already named their XV to play on Saturday, with Osborne’s Leinster and Ireland team-mate Hugo Keenan set to start. The eight-cap Ireland international is set to arrive in Australia on Saturday, so would have been unavailable to play anyway.

Kinghorn was in pole position to start for the Lions in the Test series against Australia, and this update suggests that may still be a possibility, with the Toulouse star set to return to training “over the coming days”.

The Lions statement reads: “Blair Kinghorn received positive news following a scan on a knee injury sustained against the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night. The Lions medical team will manage his return to training over the coming days.

“Ireland’s Jamie Osborne will join the squad to provide additional training cover. Osborne is currently with the Ireland squad in Portugal and will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday to meet up with the squad.”