Blair Kinghorn injury update: Lions confirms replacement

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Scotland full-back Kinghorn suffered a knee injury during Wednesday's 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra that threatened to plunge Lions head coach Andy Farrell's options into further jeopardy after the loss of Elliot Daly.

But Kinghorn's injury is not as serious as first feared and he will remain with the squad in Australia, with Ireland's Jamie Osborne joining the camp as cover.

"Blair Kinghorn received positive news following a scan on a knee injury sustained against the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday night," said the Lions in a statement. "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."

Asked to provide an update on Kinghorn at Thursday's news conference after the Lions' team to face an Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV in Adelaide had been named, Farrell said: "Blair is okay, he's not too bad.

"He's actually gone for a scan as we speak now, so we're waiting as regards to the news on that, but the same as he always is.

"Like I said yesterday, he's in good spirits, so we'll wait and see what the outcome is of that.

"I don't think it's as bad as what could have been. It was something innocuous really, just a rugby accident that was unfortunate, so fingers crossed when we get back to the hotel that we get some good news."

While some players have grabbed their chances, others have faltered at the worst possible moment.

Whether it’s form, fitness, or simply being outplayed by teammates, these four big names look set to miss out when the Lions take on the Wallabies in the Test arena.

There was a real sense that Fin Smith needed a standout showing to stay in the mix for the No.10 jersey — especially with Owen Farrell lurking and Marcus Smith offering more versatility.

Instead, the Saints fly-half delivered two underwhelming performances. He looked nervy against Argentina and struggled to control the game against the Waratahs, forcing too much and paying the price with errors.

With Finn Russell locked in and both Farrell and Marcus Smith ahead of him, Fin’s Test hopes have likely faded.

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The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon — but against the Western Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to assert himself and was part of a front row that got bullied.

With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant display the previous week, the Scottish loosehead couldn’t have picked a worse time to fall short. His usual power and edge just weren’t there.

Ireland’s Andrew Porter looks primed to take the bench role, leaving Schoeman on the outside looking in.

Four years ago, Duhan van der Merwe was the Lions’ wrecking ball. But this tour, he’s looked sluggish, short on sharpness, and lacking his usual cutting edge.

Injuries have clearly disrupted his preparation, and it’s shown. Defensively vulnerable and ineffective in attack, he’s lost serious ground.

With James Lowe and Tommy Freeman both impressing, it’s hard to see how Duhan forces his way back into the Test conversation in time.

Few positions are more hotly contested than openside flanker — and Tom Curry just hasn’t done enough to separate himself. Against the Brumbies, he worked hard and managed an assist, but it wasn’t clean.

Turnovers, penalties, and a second-half fade led to an early substitution. Meanwhile, Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier are ticking all the boxes, and Ben Earl’s versatility adds even more value.

Curry’s class is undeniable, but on current form, he looks set to miss the Test 23.