Quinlan's Lions appeal fails and doubts over Halfpenny

Alan Quinlan's last-ditch attempt to make the Lions tour to South Africa has failed after his appeal against a 12-week suspension was dismissed.

The Ireland back row was banned for making contact with the eye area of Leo Cullen in Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final defeat by Leinster at Croke Park on May 2.

Quinlan exercised his right to appeal but an independent appeal committee yesterday found no reason to alter the original ruling.

An ERC statement read: "The committee found Alan Quinlan had not demonstrated the original decision had been in error or that it should be overturned or varied.

"Accordingly the appeal committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension imposed on the player of 12 weeks."

The outcome of today's appeal cleared the path for Leicester back row Tom Croft to be promoted from the England squad to face the Barbarians and Argentina.

Croft, who was considered highly unlucky to be omitted from the initial Lions party, had already been named on the standby list and was the obvious replacement for surprise-pick Quinlan.

The abrasive Quinlan, 34, becomes the third player selected in last month's initial 37-strong Lions squad to be ruled out.

Quinlan's Munster colleague, scrum-half Tomas O'Leary, broke his ankle three days after the party was announced and has subsequently been replaced by Scotland skipper Mike Blair.

Wales centre Tom Shanklin then suffered a serious shoulder injury and faces four months out with the Lions management opting against plugging the gap.

A fourth player's involvement was also placed in doubt today when it was revealed Shanklin's Wales team-mate Leigh Halfpenny will not depart with the squad for South Africa on Sunday.

The Lions medical team have decided Halfpenny should remain at home to undergo intensive treatment on a thigh injury that has proved to be more significant than first thought.

Halfpenny remains part of the squad and he will join the Lions in South Africa once he has regained full fitness. He is expected to be sidelined for up to a fortnight.

With Halfpenny effectively ruled out of the Lions' first two tour matches, head coach Ian McGeechan will summon an alternative to take the squad back up to 37.

In a statement, the Lions medical team confirmed the injury will require at least 10 to 14 days' treatment.

"It's the belief of the Lions management team that it would be better for the player to receive intensive treatment in Cardiff," read the statement.

"The management have always had the expectation that travelling players should be fit to play the first game on tour."

The Lions will be looking for a replacement not only to cover Halfpenny's position on the wing and, potentially, at full-back, but his goalkicking.

Fly-halves Ronan O'Gara and Stephen Jones are the only recognised goal-kickers in the squad, with Riki Flutey a part-time option at best.

England full-back Delon Armitage missed the chance of a call-up when the Lions opted not to replace Shanklin but his name will return to the frame.

The retiring Josh Lewsey is on the standby list and would offer cover on the wing and the centre, though he is not a goal-kicker, while Scotland's Chris Paterson is also a possibility.