The majority of the British & Irish Lions squad – bar one player – have had their first coronavirus vaccinations ahead of their upcoming tour of South Africa.

The Telegraph reports the squad assembled for the first time in London on Wednesday and were vaccinated after receiving special clearance to do so from government.

Finn Russell was the only player absent due to commitments with French club Racing 92.

The Lions will play their warm-up match against Japan in Edinburgh on 26 June and the report states that it is likely that the Lions squad will receive their second round of jabs before the game.

Those vaccinations will be administered at the team’s base in Jersey, where they will be training from 13 June.

It has been claimed that these vaccinations will not impact on the supply that will be available to the public.

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