British and Irish Lions

Nathan Hines has been handed a seven day ban for a dangerous tackle in the second half of the 13-13 draw against the Emerging Springboks in Cape Town on Tuesday night.

It means the Perpignan and Scotland lock will miss the opportunity to be selected for the second Test, unless he can successfully appeal against the decision. He has 24 hours in which to lodge any appeal.

Hines was singled out by citiing commissioner Steve Hinds (New Zealand) for a dangerous tackle in the ninth minute of the second half at Newlands. He had a formal disciplinary hearing in front of judicial officer Alan Hudson (Canada) today.

The lower end scale of punishment for a dangerous tackle is ususlly two weeks, but Mr Hudson only ruled him out for one week. That means he could come into contention for the thrid Test in Johannesburg next week.

Hines becomes the first player on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to suffer a disciplinary sanction.

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.