British and Irish Lions

One of South Africa' s most promising forwards has joined the European exodus and therefore ruled himself out of contention to face the Lions in less than 11 months time.

Vodacom Stormers second row Ross Skeate has signed for Tana Umaga's Toulon in the French Top 14 and will leave South Africa once his Currie Cup commitments come to an end this season.

As the current vice-captain of Western Province, Skeate would have expected to appear against the Lions on June 13 next year even if he did not receive a Springbok call up for the three-Test series.

Skeate has signed a one-year deal with big-spending Toulon, although he has the option of a further two-year extension. Regardless of whether he chooses to see out the full three years, Skeate's decision to move to France means Lions supporters will not be seeing him in action in 2009.

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says Quade Cooper could still line up against the Lions despite missing out on his 25-man squad this morning.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.