Lions prop Cian Healy lies stricken on the Perth turf © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Corbisiero relishing Lions chance

Features: Wallabies won't yet be quivering

News: Corbisiero leaves England to join up with Lions

Players/Officials: Cian Healy

British & Irish Lions prop Cian Healy is facing action after being accused of biting the leg of Western Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan in the tour match at Petersons Stadium on Wednesday night.

Healy will face a judicial hearing in Brisbane on Friday, June 7 but it could all be academic as his tour may well be over anyway after he was stretchered off the field with what looked to be a serious ankle injury. He was immediately taken to hospital for an x-ray. It was later confirmed that he had not broken his ankle but it is feared he suffered ligament damage that could end his tour.

The game was stopped midway through the first half after Sheehan reported the alleged biting incident to referee Glen Jackson, who then asked television match official Glenn Newman to review the incident. The replays were inconclusive and no action was taken.

Sheehan later said: "I don't know if was an accident or on purpose. That's it. We move on."

Asked about the alleged biting following the game, Lions coach Warren Gatland told reporters: "I know as much as you know. I think the citing guy has had a look at it and he can't see anything."

Force head coach Michael Foley refused to elaborate on it at his post-match press conference, saying only: "It was dealt with by the referee at the time."

Reflecting on Healy's injury, Gatland said: "We'll just have to wait for 24, 48 hours and see where we are for that. He went for an X-ray and it's not broken, so we just assume it's ligament damage. He may need a scan to delve further into the potential of the injury."

The Lions face Queensland Reds on Saturday and the Combined New South Wales - Queensland Country side next Tuesday and they have called up Alex Corbisiero as cover for Healy.

The Lions were skippered by Brian O'Driscoll and he hopes the injury is not as bad as first feared. "He's a club mate, and an international team-mate and he's a Lions team-mate," O'Driscoll said. "It wouldn't be easy seeing anyone like that. I understand how hard people work to get here and if it is the end of his tour then it's bitterly disappointing. But you wait and hope that it's not as bad as first perceived."