Wilkinson, Henson out of third test

Lions five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson and Gavin Henson are out of Saturday's third rugby test as the tourists' walking wounded list skyrocketed into double figures today.

Wilkinson and Henson were both ruled out after suffering shoulder injuries during Saturday's second test, while captain Gareth Thomas (virus) and loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins (ankle) were rated doubtful starters.

It means at least two changes from the side beaten 18-48 by the All Blacks in the second test, to add to the mammoth task for the Lions to avoid a series cleansweep.

Welshman Stephen Jones will now reclaim the No 10 jersey after being dropped for the second test, with Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy a likely No. 12 on process of elimination.

In an injury list resembling a casualty ward, six players were ruled out of the third test while five more were rated doubtful.

Along with Wilkinson and Henson, prop Andy Sheridan (ankle), centre Ollie Smith (ribs), lock Ben Kay (eye) and first five-eighth Charlie Hodgson (concussion) all had their tours ended by medical reports today.

On the doubtful list are Thomas, Jenkins, flanker Neil Back (throat infection), wing Shane Horgan (hamstring) and centre Will Greenwood (shoulder).

It saw coach Clive Woodward cancel training today in the wake of the midweekers' bruising 17-13 win over Auckland, and also delay naming his third test team until the morning.

Thomas was expected to be fit after being laid low by a virus in the past 24 hours but there was more doubt over Jenkins who rolled both his ankles during the second test.

"Gethin is my biggest concern at the moment," Lions doctor James Robson said.

It meant Woodward breathed a sigh of relief when prop Graham Rowntree, Jenkins' likely replacement, was today cleared at a judicial hearing after being cited for punching in last night's match.

"We believe in the morning we'll get the whole 22 together and we'll be absolutely flat out to try and win this last test match which is very important to us," Woodward said.

Woodward fronted a 45-minute press conference to explain the injuries with the help of his two tour doctors Robson and Gary O'Driscoll.

A "stinger" suffered by Wilkinson and Henson was defined by Robson as "irritation or bruising in nerves from the neck to shoulder".

Robson said Wilkinson, who left the field during the second test, would have been fit to play in a week's time.

"He needed to be able to endure full contact and we believe he would have been found out on Saturday," Robson said.

Henson hadn't suffered concussion, as Woodward stated last Sunday, but instead suffered the injury tackling All Blacks wing Rico Gear into touch in the first half.

It would take several weeks to fully recover from.

Two players suffered their tour-ending injuries against Auckland last night, Hodgson when tackled by hooker Semisi Telefoni and Kay a burst blood vessel around his eye when punched during a scuffle with Sam Tuitupou.

Woodward said the injury toll which had now totalled 13 players ruled out of the tour including captain Brian O'Driscoll and veteran England loose forwards Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill, had justified his decision to bring a 45-man squad.

"We believe we'll have a fully fit squad because of the numbers we've brought with us," Woodward said.

"It's still totally beyond me why this is causing such a debate.

"If we didn't have these numbers, taking citings into account, we just wouldn't be able to put out a competitive team at the weekend."

- NZPA