Mako Vunipola has the chance to cement a test spot with a good performance against the Queensland Reds – Photo: photae.com.au

by Paul Cook in Brisbane –

Lions prop Cian Healy was cleared of any wrongdoing at yesterday’s judicial hearing after it found “insufficient video evidence” to substantiate a ‘biting’ claim made by Western Force scrumhalf Brett Sheehan. “I always maintained that nothing happened and that I had done nothing illegal,” said a relieved Healy afterwards, “the opposition player’s arm hit me, it is as simple as that. I am glad that it is all over.”

Cian Healy’s Lions experience will be memorable for the wrong reasons – Photo: photae.com.au

However, it was all over in a different way for the 25-year-old after scans revealed ‘extensive’ ligament damage to his right ankle, an injury he sustained in the same match against the Force, and the unlucky Leinster man is on his way home. His replacement, Alex Corbisiero, was already on his way from England’s tour in Argentina as a back-up and will now become a permanent fixture in the Lions squad, a move that took on even greater importance following the news that Gethin Jenkins has been withdrawn from tonight’s match against the Queensland Reds.

Healy’s departure seemed to clear the path for Jenkins’ starting spot in the test side and he was due to make his tour debut against the Reds in what will be by far the toughest match of the tour so far but the Welshman has not recovered from a calf injury and has been dropped from the match day squad completely.

The likelihood of Jenkins featuring at all on the tour has to be called into doubt after an SOS was also sent out to Scottish prop, Ryan Grant, who was away on international duty in South Africa, to join up with the squad as well.

All of which means that Mako Vunipola has seen his stock rise considerably, particularly after two impressive displays off the bench in Hong Kong and Perth. From being seemingly the third choice loosehead in the squad when it was announced, the 22-year-old Saracen now finds himself in pole position and has a chance to cement that test berth with a good performance tonight against the Reds.

“Mako has done well in the last two games and this is another chance for him to step up,” said coach Warren Gatland.