Lions halfback out

Halfback Ben Youngs has withdrawn from the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand for family reasons.

Leicester, Youngs’ English club, said the halfback made the decision after receiving the news that the wife of his brother, Tom, has terminal cancer. Tiffany Youngs has been battling cancer for three years.

‘‘We are a very close family and, as I am sure everyone can respect, time is now precious together,’’ Ben Youngs said.

He will still play the rest of the season for Leicester, who have qualified for the English Premiership playoffs.

Scotland captain and Gloucester halfback Greig Laidlaw is to be Youngs’ replacement.