Williams out of Lions tour Itoje recalled for Queensland clash

SYDNEY - The British amp; Irish Lions have confirmed Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams suffered a tour-ending hamstring injury last weekend, while skipper Maro Itoje has been recalled for Wednesdays match against the Queensland Reds.

Williams sustained the injury scoring his second try in the 54-7 victory over Western Force in Perth last Saturday and will be replaced in the squad by Scotlands Ben White.

Gloucester scrumhalf Williams was the Premiership Rugby Player of the Season, and Lions coach Andy Farrell said his loss robbed the group of an outstanding player.

Weve only been together for a few weeks now but his character is everything for a Lions tour you want to have in your group, Farrell told a press conference on Monday.

Hes very popular amongst the group so that makes it a little bit tougher for all.

Farrell again rung the changes in his team for Wednesdays second tour match in Australia against the Reds at Brisbanes Lang Park.

Itoje, who led the Lions in their loss to Argentina in Dublin on June 20, returns to the second row in partnership with Ollie Chessum at the heart of a new-look pack after hooker Dan Sheehan captained the side against the Force.

Fullback Hugo Keenan and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, who were both struggling with niggles, will get their first taste of action on the tour in a backline again steered by flyhalf Finn Russell.

Keenan, who represented Ireland in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics, had been carrying a calf injury in recent weeks but said the plan was always for him to return for the Reds game.

Its been pretty smooth sailing ... and now just excited to get stuck in and get out there with the lads, the 29-year-old told reporters.

Jack Conan, the only specialist number eight