Tonight's rugby news as Lions star 'suffers tour-ending injury' and Morgan 'puts flag in the ground'
The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
Morgan has 'put his flag in the ground'
These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, July 2.
Daly set to be ruled out of Lions tour
British & Irish Lions star Elliot Daly looks set to be ruled out of the remainder of this year's tour of Australia after suffering a suspected broken forearm in Wednesday's 52-12 victory against Queensland Reds. The England international was a late addition to the starting line-up after Hugo Keenan withdrew through illness, but was left wincing in pain after a heavy collision towards the end of the match.
After being tended to by medics, Daly returned to his feet and seemed determined to see out the remaining quarter of an hour, but left the field just five minutes later looking visibly frustrated.
After the match, head coach Andy Farrell said that the utility back was being sent for an X-ray to determine the extent of the injury, explaining: "He's pretty sore in there. We'll get him an X-ray.
"It looks like he's taken a knock to his forearm there, so fingers crossed for him."
However, the Telegraph now reports that Daly has suffered a suspected broken arm which is set to rule him out of the remainder of the tour. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia.
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Despite the expected loss of Daly, Farrell insisted that he is comfortable with his options at full-back, with Scotland star Blair Kinghorn also at his disposal as well as the currently unwell Keenan.
'No, we've got loads of full-backs," he said. "Hugo will be OK tomorrow or the next day and Blair's ready to go.
"Hugo's been unwell with a bug for a few days now, and he trained yesterday, and got through training fine, and thought he was feeling better when he woke up this morning, until he had his breakfast and it all came up.
"That's not good for him, but hopefully in a couple of days he'll sort that out.'
Morgan 'puts flag in the ground'
Sam Warburton says Jac Morgan has "put his flag in the ground" with his stunning player of the match performance against Queensland Reds.
The Ospreys flanker - who is now the lone Welshman on this year's Lions tour after Tomos Williams was ruled out through injury - was outstanding as he stepped up to the challenge in Brisbane on Wednesday, getting on the scoresheet as Andy Farrell's side secured a 52-12 victory.
As well as contributing to his side's eight tries, Morgan also finished the match as the top tackler with 21, while he also enjoyed the most metres carried (49m) of any Lions forward and picked up three jackal turnovers too.
With head coach Farrell now whittling down his options ahead of the first Test against Australia later this month, former Wales and Lions captain Warburton believes the Welshman has played himself right into contention for a starting jersey.
"He would have been one of those guys coming into this thinking, 'I'm under pressure!'," said Warburton as he analysed Morgan's performance on Sky Sports.
"I thought he was solid against Argentina, but then you're only one player away from having a great performance and you falling right down the pecking order.
"He has really put his flag in the ground. Jac Morgan definitely deserved man of the match."
Adding that Morgan has "edged into top position" for the starting No.7 shirt, Warburton added: "Tackle effort, that's just standard for him, way into double figures.
"But this is the point of difference I haven't seen so far on this tour. He got over the ball three times. No one has got over the ball more than once in the first two games.
"In a Test match, if someone can get over the ball and win a jackal turnover three times... if someone has the ability to step up and win a turnover, Jac has that ability.
"I thought his carries, tackles, work on the floor in particular, has made him, now, in that race for the seven (shirt), just edge up into that top position."
However, after the match, Farrell did not rule out Morgan crossing over to six for the Tests, as he said: "If he plays like he did today, he can play wherever he wants.
"He was everywhere. His offloading game was great, he was aggressive with his hitting. He'll be delighted. The competition has started and there's reactions all over the place to come."
Lions legend laid to rest
The funeral of Scotland and British & Irish Lions legend Ian McLauchlan took place on the isle of Islay earlier today.
Known throughout the rugby world as 'Mighty Mouse', the former prop passed away in hospital last month at the age of 83.
During his playing career, he won 43 caps for Scotland, with 19 of those coming as captain, while he represented Glasgow District at club level.
McLachlan was also one of only five players to play in all eight Test matches for the Lions across the 1971 and 1974 tours of New Zealand and South Africa respectively, with his only Test try coming against the All Blacks on the first of those tours.
After hanging up his boots, he spent a brief spell in rugby journalism before setting up his own marketing company.
He then served as a member of the Scottish Rugby Board from 2010 to 2019 and was president of the Scottish Rugby Union between 2010 and 2012, while he was also a director of European Professional Club Rugby.
His funeral was held at the Round Church in Bowmore on Wednesday morning, with friends from across rugby and elsewhere paying their respects.
As the funeral was held, Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Al Kellock paid tribute to the stalwart as he said: 'On behalf of everyone at Glasgow Warriors, I want to pay tribute to Ian McLauchlan, a true giant of Scottish Rugby.
'Mouse was a player of immense courage, skill, and passion, but more than that, he was a man who embodied everything good about our game. His contributions extended far beyond the pitch; he inspired generations, led with quiet authority, and always carried the pride of Scottish Rugby with him wherever he went.
'For myself personally, Mouse was a mentor and a friend," Kellock added. "Someone whose words carried weight because they came from experience, humility, and genuine love for the sport.
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'He'll be deeply missed by all of us at the club and across the wider rugby community. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.'
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