Lions confirm tour reinforcements
The British and Irish Lions confirmed they have called up four reinforcements and more are likely.
Coach Warren Gatland, who arrived with a squad of 41 and has already lost injured fullback Stuart Hogg, wants to complete squads of 23 so his Test players are not side-tracked by midweek matches.
Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis, who are already in New Zealand as part of the Wales side that beat Tonga in Auckland on Friday, have now joined up with the Lions.
"We have said all along that we need to give ourselves the best chance of winning the Test series and that could potentially involve calling up players," Gatland said as he announced the additional players just hours ahead of his shadow Test line up playing the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua.
"Bringing in these players from an identical time zone, who can hit the ground running and step straight in rather than having to adjust following long-haul travel will help us manage players before the first Test, give us quality training numbers to prepare properly."
Gatland said there will be a further announcement regarding call-ups following the conclusion of other Home Union Tests this weekend.
The Lions have two mid-week games and three Tests still to play.
Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis, who are already in New Zealand as part of the Wales side that beat Tonga in Auckland on Friday, have now joined up with the Lions.
"We have said all along that we need to give ourselves the best chance of winning the Test series and that could potentially involve calling up players," Gatland said as he announced the additional players just hours ahead of his shadow Test line up playing the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua.
"Bringing in these players from an identical time zone, who can hit the ground running and step straight in rather than having to adjust following long-haul travel will help us manage players before the first Test, give us quality training numbers to prepare properly."
Gatland said there will be a further announcement regarding call-ups following the conclusion of other Home Union Tests this weekend.
The Lions have two mid-week games and three Tests still to play.
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