Lions brawl as tour hits new low

Two British and Irish Lions players traded punches on the training ground as the increasingly troubled tour of New Zealand hit a new low today.

As the Lions arrived in Wellington ahead of tomorrow's match against the provincial side, it emerged that two, as yet unidentified, players were involved in a bust-up on Sunday, a day after the disappointing defeat by the New Zealand Maori.

It is thought the fight involved players who did not feature in the 19-13 defeat in Hamilton but who are members of the squad who will play a part here tomorrow.

Management calmed the players down after the incident and no disciplinary action is expected to be taken against them.

Lions officials closed ranks today but a spokesman admitted: "I can confirm there was a scuffle at training and it was over in a moment. These things happen and then they are quickly dealt with and the players get on with training."

Although fights between Lions players on tour are not uncommon, the latest incident will be seen as a sign that the pressure is starting to get to the players.

News of the bust-up comes as the Lions squad have been rocked by two new injury scares. Flanker Lewis Moody, who limped out of training yesterday with a knee injury, is out of tomorrow's game and Saturday's clash with Otago.

There are serious fears that he will have to fly home and will have more scans later this week. There are also doubts over prop Andrew Sheridan.