The British & Irish Lions are sweating over the availability of Sam Simmonds and Dan Biggar after the duo sustained injuries in the Premiership over this past weekend.

Simmonds was helped off in the second half of the Exeter Chiefs’ victory over a 14-man Northampton Saints side on Saturday.

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The No 8 had to apply ice to his ankle.

‘He has had a rolled ankle from a few weeks ago which has been fine. I did not wait to see if he wanted to carry on,’ Exeter director Rob Baxter said after the match.

‘There will be an assessment over the next couple of hours. We didn’t take him off because it was a clear “That’s it, he’s done”. I thought let’s get on with things and keep the momentum in the game.

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‘Right here and now I don’t want to make a call on how bad it is. It could be very minor.’

Meanwhile, Simmonds’ Lions teammate, flyhalf Dan Biggar, who started for the Saints, was also substituted in the second half after taking a knock to the chest.

However, Biggar’s injury is thought to be less serious and his substitution was purely precautionary.

The Lions have already had to call England tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler up to the squad, as Andrew Porter was ruled out of the tour after picking up an ankle injury.

Warren Gatland’s team face Japan at Murrayfield on 26 June before heading to South Africa for an eight-match trip highlighted by three Tests against the reigning world champions.

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