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Scotland’s Zander Fagerson and Hamish Watson have been ruled out of the British & Irish Lions lineup to face Japan on Saturday due to injury.
Prop Fagerson has a back spasm and will be replaced by Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong, while flanker Watson suffered a head injury in training on Tuesday and will be replaced by Ospeys and Wales flanker Justin Tipuric.
Fagerson pulled out after he was unable to train on Thursday morning. Meanwhile Watson will begin the graduated return-to-play protocol after the concussion.
The Lions are due to meet Japan at Murrayfield as they prepare for their tour of South Africa, where they will face the world champion Springboks on July 24, 31 and Aug. 7.
South Africa have not played since beating England in the World Cup final in 2019 and will warm up for the series with tests against Georgia.
“It’s a shame for Zander not to be able to run out at Murrayfield as a Lion, but he’s not quite one hundred percent,” coach Warren Gatland said.
“He’ll get a chance to start in the next two games and stake a claim for a test spot in South Africa, so it’s not worth the risk.”