The Lions have been dealt a massive blow at one of the final hurdles before the squad meets up for the summer tour of New Zealand, as England number eight Billy Vunipola has been forced to withdraw from the squad.
Vunipola damaged an existing injury in Saracens' Aviva Premiership semi-final loss to Exeter on Saturday, and despite hopes that he would still be able to travel and perform for the British & Irish Lions this summer, he instead must stay at home and recover.
In an official statement, a Lions spokesperson confirmed Vunipola's withdrawal from the squad and announced that he would be replaced by England's James Haskell.
Billy Vunipola has withdrawn from the British & Irish Lions 2017 Tour to New Zealand due to an ongoing shoulder injury. The Saracens No 8 had been managing the injury which now requires further medical treatment. Wasps and England back row James Haskell will join the squad next Sunday following the Aviva Premiership Final.
There's no doubting that this is about as a bad a blow as Gatland could have been dealt, as Vunipola was one of very few nailed on test starters in the panel.
The reaction from around the world of rugby, including Brian O'Driscoll, hammers home that point.
Absolutely massive blow to @lionsofficial losing Billy Vunipola. Not sure if there could have been a bigger loss of personnel.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) May 21, 2017
One giant kick in the nuts for the Lions. Billy Vunipola withdraws with a shoulder injury: pic.twitter.com/J5PbwiYvCp
— Alastair Eykyn (@alastaireykyn) May 21, 2017
Big blow for the Lions. Billy Vunipola (almost certainly starting Test no8) withdraws from tour to New Zealand due to shoulder injury
— Dan Roan (@danroan) May 21, 2017
Billy Vunipola OUT of Lions tour. Colossal blow for Gatland's men and crying shame for the series. Will be much the poorer for his absence.
— Alex Spink (@alexspinkmirror) May 21, 2017
Billy Vunipola was one of the players NZ would have been truly apprehensive about.
Brilliant carrier, brilliant playmaker. What a blow.— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) May 21, 2017
Can't believe the Billy Vunipola news.
That's a real kick in the windpipe.— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) May 21, 2017
James Haskell will be a brilliant tourist for the Lions - living his dream.
But I think Billy Vunipola was the only irreplaceable Lion— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) May 21, 2017
Massive blow for the Lions as Billy Vunipola has to withdraw. Been immense against all he has played. Big selections in back row to come.
— Tom May (@TomMay1) May 21, 2017
Imagine losing Billy Vunipola & replacing him with a selfie stick
— Graham Love (@GLove39) May 21, 2017
Billy Vunipola OUT of Lions tour. Colossal blow for Gatland's men and crying shame for the series. Will be much the poorer for his absence.
— Alex Spink (@alexspinkmirror) May 21, 2017
So incredibly disappointing for B Vunipola that injury has denied his NZ spot - a colossal player who would have thrived for @lionsofficial
— Emma Thurston (@EmmaThurston23) May 21, 2017
