British Lions - Simon Zebo called up

Lions 2013: Ireland's Simon Zebo called up to squad as cover
9 June 2013

Ireland wing Simon Zebo has become the third player to be called up to the British and Irish Lions squad on tour in Australia.

Zebo, 23, has been summoned as cover, with uncertainty over whether compatriot Tommy Bowe will be able to play any further part in the tour.

Bowe has undergone an operation to repair a broken bone in his hand, sustained in Saturday's win over Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

Zebo will join the squad on Tuesday.

The Munster man, capped five times, will travel from the United States, where Ireland beat the hosts 15-12 in the first Test of their summer tour on Saturday.

The Lions said Bowe's condition will be assessed over the next days.

Another winger, Rob Kearney, is yet to play any part in the tour after suffering a torn hamstring but is expected to return to training this week.

Zebo, who can also play at full-back, was a strong contender for a place in the original Lions squad after a sparkling start to the Six Nations in Ireland's win over Wales.

But he broke a metatarsal in his right foot early in the second game of the Championship against England, and only returned to action in the final few games of the season.

Zebo joins England prop Alex Corbisiero and Scotland loose-head Ryan Grant in receiving a summons to join the original squad after injuries to Cian Healy and Gethin Jenkins.

Corbisiero and Grant will both be pitched straight into action as part of the match-day squad for Tuesday's game against a Combined Queensland-New South Wales Country XV in Newcastle.