O'Leary injury blow

SETANTA SPORTS,

Published Friday, April 24, 2009, 4:54 PM

Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:37 PM

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Munster's Tomas O'Leary in action with Ospreys' Ian Gough during the Heineken Cup match at Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick, Ireland.

Photo by PA Wire/PA Photos

Tomas O'Leary is likely to be ruled out of this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa after suffering a suspected broken ankle on Friday night.

The Munster scrum-half suffered the injury in the opening quarter of his side's Magners League clash with The Scarlets at Musgrave Park, O'Leary's falling awkwardly as he attempted to make a tackle in midfield.

He was immediately stretchered off, head in hands and in obvious agony, and the early reports are that he has fractured his ankle, meaning not only is he out of Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Leinster, he is also set to be ruled out of The Lions tour.

Scotland captain Mike Blair would appear to be the most likely player to replace O'Leary in Ian McGeechan's touring party as many considered the Edinburgh number nine somewhat unlucky to have missed out on inclusion.

In the game itself, Munster all but clinched the Magners League title by picking up a bonus point in a facile 29-10 victory over the Welsh team.