British and Irish Lions

The two players have returned home from Australia after picking up injuries in the 32-25 victory over the Wallabies in Perth last weekend.

That triumph moved John Smit's world champions and Lions slayers nine points clear at the top of the Tri Nations table and puts them on the verge of reclaiming the title. They have now beaten the All Blacks and Wallabies twice and face the Aussies for a third time in Brisbane on Saturday.

Pietersen tore his hamstring late on in the game in Perth, while replacement lock Bekker suffered a grade 3 injury to the ACL joint in his shoulder. Neither player will be replaced.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.

British & Irish Lions hookers Dylan Hartley and Tom Youngs will fight out their own private duel in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday and then become team mates for the next six weeks a day later.

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.