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Lions hopeful over Davies fitness for first Test
By Jamie Smith
Jonathan Davies could feature against Maori All Blacks on Saturday as he seeks to prove his fitness for the first Test with New Zealand, British and Irish Lions assistant coach Neil Jenkins said.
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Wales international Davies was unavailable for Tuesday’s 23-22 defeat to the Highlanders after sustaining a head injury in the Lions’ victory over Crusaders.
With only two more warm-up games before the first Test against New Zealand on June 24, Jenkins confirmed Davies has not yet been declared fit to play.
“Jonathan is still going through protocols but hopefully he’ll be back in training [on Thursday] and we’ll see from there,” Jenkins told reporters.
“Ross [Moriarty] has been back in training doing a little bit of running, and hopefully he’ll come through as well.”
"We have an abundance of team spirit and togetherness"
Dan Biggar is confident of a big performance in Rotorua ? https://t.co/CPF9tFOxt8 pic.twitter.com/2U2nOBeQqI
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 14, 2017
England lock Courtney Lawes is further away from being fit, however, after sustaining a head injury in the narrow loss to Highlanders.
“Courtney’s been okay today but it’s the same as always with head injuries – [we will go through] the protocols and see how he goes for the rest of the week,” added Jenkins.
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“He’s a tough old character, he wanted to walk off the pitch, albeit with a bit of help. But the likelihood is he will miss the weekend.”
? We've arrived in Rotorua – looking forward to the next few days! #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/1TpdfbH6Ne
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 14, 2017
Tour captain Sam Warburton is expected to sit out the game against Maori All Blacks as the Lions seek to protect him from damaging an ongoing ankle problem.
“Tuesday was certainly better from Warby and it was nice for him to get a run-out,” Jenkins said “There were quite a few turnovers from him. For Sam now it’s just about keeping getting game time if he can.
“I don’t know what the outcome will be on the weekend, but it was a big improvement from him, and the more game time he plays the better he’s going to be.
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“Sam’s a top-end player, a quality, world-class seven, but again it’s the same as anything, you need to be playing to keep getting yourself back up to the levels that you need to.
“Warby would be the first to be admitting that, there’s no doubting that, but he had a much, much better game and he’ll keep improving, there’s no doubt.”
