Blair Kinghorn's knee injury raises doubts for Lions' first Test
- Blair Kinghorn injured his knee during a match against the ACT Brumbies, leaving the field in the 25th minute.
- The Lions face selection challenges for their first Test against Australia as they have already lost another full-back.
- Kinghorn's injury results caused concern yet may allow him to return for training prior to the Test.
In Australia, Blair Kinghorn, a key player for the British and Irish Lions, suffered a knee injury during the team's 36-24 victory over the ACT Brumbies on July 8, 2025. This injury occurred in the 25th minute of the match, prompting concern over his availability for the upcoming first Test against Australia on July 19. Kinghorn initially attempted to continue playing after sustaining the injury but ultimately had to leave the field, visibly frustrated. The Lions had already lost Elliot Daly to a fractured forearm earlier in the tour, intensifying worries about their full-back lineup with only Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan remaining as specialist options. Coach Andy Farrell expressed cautious optimism; Kinghorn's spirits remained high as he underwent assessment. The medical team later indicated that the results from his scans were more positive than initially thought, allowing for some hope that he might return to training shortly before the Test. Despite this, the Lions have called up Jamie Osborne from Ireland's tour to offer support and cover for training in the interim. This injury comes in a broader context where the Lions have faced multiple challenges throughout their Australian tour, including struggles with consistency and performance against previous teams. As the first Test approaches, the Lions aim to enhance their game while dealing with the impact of injuries on their squad.