The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Laidlaw called up after Youngs pulls out due to family illness
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has bene called into the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of New Zealand after Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs pulled out due to family illness.
The Tigers had announced on their website that the wife of Youngs’ brother Tom, who is also a Leicester player, is suffering from terminal cancer, prompting the 27-year-old to withdraw from Warren Gatland’s team.
“We are a very close family and, as I am sure everyone can respect, time is now precious together,” Youngs said.
“The most important thing for me at this difficult time is to be able to offer as much support as I can to Tom and his family in the remaining time we all have together.”
Laidlaw, who plays for Gloucester, will tour in Youngs’ place and join fellow Scots Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour in the squad.
The former Edinburgh player has won 58 caps for Scotland but was left out of the 2013 Lions squad, instead heading to the South African Quadrangular Tournament with Scotland.
Laidlaw, who will join French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne on a three-year deal this summer, missed the majority of the RBS 6 Nations championship after sustaining an ankle injury in Scotland’s defeat against France in Paris in February.
Youngs was one of three scrum-halves picked in the 41-man squad and had a strong chance of being involved in the Test series against the All Blacks.
The 27-year-old has amassed 70 caps for England and won a further two for the Lions during their 2-1 triumph over Australia in 2013, starting the second international in Melbourne.
Gatland was informed of the decision this week. Both Youngs brothers will continue to play in Leicester’s season-ending playoff campaign.
“I would like to thank Warren Gatland, the staff and the other players for their understanding in this situation,” Youngs said.