Fractured arm rules Paul O’Connell out

British & Irish Lions lock Paul O’Connell will miss the rest of the series against Australia with a fractured arm.
The 2009 tour captain suffered the injury in Saturday’s 23-21 win over the Wallabies and further assessment confirmed the nature of the injury.
This is a major blow for the tourist as they seek their first Test-series win since 1997.
As a result, England and Leicester‘s lock Geoff Parling, who was set to captain the Lions tomorrow against the Rebels, has been withdrawn from the side and look now set to partner Alun-Wyn Jones in the engine room on Saturday in the second Test in Melbourne.
Dan Lydiate will now lead the Lions with Ian Evans coming in to partner Richie Gray at lock and Tom Croft covering the bench.
A statement on the Lions’ official website said: “Parling is the likely replacement for O’Connell at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
“He was due to captain the Lions in their final mid-week match against the Rebels in Melbourne tomorrow but has now been withdrawn from the side.”