Paul O’Connell’s Lions tour is over after just one game with the Munster star set to return home to Ireland later this week.

O’Connell starred in Saturday’s first test win over Australia in Brisbane but picked up an arm injury in the process.

His worst fears were realised on Monday morning when scans confirmed he had broken an arm in the 23-21 win.

A statement from the Lions management, released on Twitter, said: “Paul O’Connell ruled out of test series with undisplaced fracture of lower right arm.”

O’Connell captained the Lions on their tour to South Africa four years ago and had battled his way back to fitness this season after groin and back injuries.

He missed the Six Nations with Ireland but did enough with Munster at the end of their campaign to win a place on a third Lions tour.

There was better news for fellow Irish international Tom Court however when he was called into the Lions squad as injury cover.

The Ulster prop was on holiday in his native Brisbane when he received the call and could feature in Tuesday’s game against the Melbourne Rebels.