Ulster and Ireland prop Tom Court has found himself in the right place at the right time and will link up with the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne this week.
The 32-year-old Brisbane-born loose head prop was visiting family in Australia in the wake of the Irish tour to North America and has been given the chance to sit on the replacements bench against the Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday night to ensure there are no further injury worries for the Lions.
Court will take the place among the replacements of Mako Vunipola, who has been stood down from the final midweek fixture in order to safeguard him for the remaining two Tests. Courft will travel from Brisbane to Melbourne to meet up with the Lions at training on Monday.
With Alex Corbisiero picking up a slight calf injury on his Lions Test debut at the weekend head coach Warren Gatland doesn’t want to risk any further problems in a position he has already lost the services of Gethin Jenkins and Cian Healy.
Lock Paul O’Connell suffered an arm injury in the game on Saturday and he continues to be treated and assessed.
