Hill out of crucial third Test

The Lions have been rocked by the news that Saracens flanker Richard Hill has been ruled out of next Saturday's deciding third Test against Australia in Sydney.  

The in-form England forward was ferried to hospital after suffering a bang on the head in yesterday's 35-14 loss in Melbourne.

Hill told rugby.com: "I've been told that I have got concussion, which means that I have to serve the mandatory three week lay-off because of that.

"Unfortunately for me that means that I will have no further playing part on the tour.

"I'm very disappointed but to be honest, at the moment I am just trying to piece together what went on."

Lions coach Graham Henry is also sweating on the fitness of Jonny Wilkinson, Rob Howley and Brian O'Driscoll.

Fly-half Wilkinson is the biggest concern after he was stretchered off during the second-half suffering from a leg injury, while centre O'Driscoll required neck X-rays and scrum-half Howley took a blow in the ribs.

There was more encouraging news of O'Driscoll, however.

The Irish centre told BBC Sport Online: "I had to go to hospital after the match having picked up a neck injury in the first half.

"It was a bit sore but nothing to stop me from playing on."

He also insisted that Wilkinson had not suffered a broken leg as was feared, but questions whether the stand-off will be fit for next Saturday.

"The situation with Jonny Wilkinson is not as bad as we first thought," added O'Driscoll.

"He does not have a break in his leg but will be in plaster for the next 48 hours.

"I would have thought he must be very doubtful for the third Test but you would have ask the doctors about that."