O’Connor likely to face British and Irish Lions

Wallabies and Rebels back James O’Connor has been given a boost for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour as his injury is not as bad as first thought.

O’Connor was injured in the early stages of the Rebels loss to the Blues in Auckland and was unable to continue, after initially playing through the injury.

The twenty-two-year-old is likely to miss 1-2 weeks of Super Rugby after damaging his left sternoclavicular joint and should be fit to face the Lions.

Although scans have confirmed no fracture, the Wallaby playmaker is in doubt for the Rebels match against the Stormers this Friday night at AAMI Park.

The Rebels will also be without rookie, and O’Connor’s replacement, Angus Roberts, who left the field with a dislocated shoulder.

Roberts will be further assessed tomorrow afternoon, with surgeons to determine the full extent of the damage and if any further action will be required.