May 24, 2024

British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan: Four-try hosts see captain Alun Wyn Jones forced off with injury

British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan: Four-try hosts comfortably win Springboks warm-up at Murrayfield… but the game is marred by a left arm injury to captain Alun Wyn Jones with the first South Africa clash just four weeks away

  • Alun Wyn Jones came off early on after being cleared out at a ruck and was replaced by Courtney Lawes
  • Josh Adams and Duhan van der Merwe scored on their Lions debuts to put Jones’ injury behind them 
  • Robbie Henshaw then put the game beyond Japan’s reach at Murrayfield before Tadhg Beirne crashed over
  • Kazuki Himeno notched Japan’s consolation try and the visitors also scored a penalty through Yu Tamura 

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The British & Irish Lions comfortably saw off Japan at Murrayfield in their first warm-up game before the series with South Africa – but there are concerns over whether Alun Wyn Jones will be fit to face the Springboks after he was forced off with an injury to his left arm.

The Wales lock was forced off on eight minutes after being cleared out at a ruck, with a team doctor supporting his left wrist as he departed the field to be replaced by Courtney Lawes. The first Test against Rassie Erasmus‘ side in Cape Town on Saturday July 24.

The British & Irish Lions comfortably beat Japan - but an injury to captain Alun Wyn Jones will cause concern for the team

The British & Irish Lions comfortably beat Japan – but an injury to captain Alun Wyn Jones will cause concern for the team

The 35-year-old injured his left arm after being cleared out at a ruck and was replaced on eight minutes by Courtney Lawes

The 35-year-old injured his left arm after being cleared out at a ruck and was replaced on eight minutes by Courtney Lawes

Josh Adams then got the hosts off the mark at Murrayfield with a try on the Wales wing's Lions debut on 10 minutes

Josh Adams then got the hosts off the mark at Murrayfield with a try on the Wales wing’s Lions debut on 10 minutes

Duhan van der Merwe (No 11) also scored on his debut before Robbie Henshaw put the game beyond doubt on 23 minutes

Duhan van der Merwe (No 11) also scored on his debut before Robbie Henshaw put the game beyond doubt on 23 minutes

Tadhg Beirne crashed over in the second half before Kazuki Himeno bagged a consolation try for Japan in Edinburgh

Tadhg Beirne crashed over in the second half before Kazuki Himeno bagged a consolation try for Japan in Edinburgh

That early setback did not deter Warren Gatland’s men as Josh Adams and Duhan van der Merwe bagged first-half tries on their debut for the team, with another converted score, this time from Robbie Henshaw, putting the game beyond doubt. 

Lawes then got his name on the scoresheet in the second period before Kazuki Himeno got a consolation try for the visitors and Yu Tamura slotted home a late penalty. 

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