British and Irish Lions

Potential Lions candidate Denis Leamy will be out of action for as long as four months after it was confirmed he requires surgery on a shoulder injury.

The Munster and Ireland back row enjoyed another impressive season in 2007/08 and had been expected to make a claim for a Lions berth ahead of the 2009 tour to South Africa.

The 27-year-old Heineken Cup winner will now miss his country's autumn internationals, as well as the start of Munster's defence of their European crown.

Leamy will hope to be back in time to re-establish himself at both provincial and international level before Ian McGeechan announces his squad prior to the Lions' departure in May of next year.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.