Marcus Smith cleared for second Lions Test after injury scare

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that fly-half Marcus Smith is fit and available for selection ahead of Saturday’s second Test against Australia, after the player passed a head injury assessment (HIA) in Melbourne.

Smith, 26, raised concerns when he was forced to leave the field in the 73rd minute of the midweek clash against the First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium. The England playmaker had only been on the pitch for seven minutes when he took a blow to the head and was taken down the tunnel for assessment.

Had Smith failed the HIA, he would have faced a mandatory 12-day stand-down period, ruling him out of the crucial second Test in Melbourne. However, coach Farrell confirmed post-match that Smith had passed all medical protocols. “He is fine, he has passed everything,” said Farrell, easing concerns over the Lions’ playmaking options.

The Lions edged out the First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in a hard-fought encounter, though few from the rotated squad are expected to break into the Test starting XV.

Owen Farrell, who captained the side and delivered a composed performance, could be in line for a bench role, while Blair Kinghorn and Garry Ringrose made important returns from injury with valuable game time.

Meanwhile, doubts remain over the availability of lock Joe McCarthy and winger Mack Hansen for the second Test. McCarthy continues to recover from a foot injury picked up in the first Test, while Hansen, who missed the Brisbane clash, has yet to return to training this week.

The Lions management will meet on Wednesday to finalise their selection, with the team for the second Test scheduled to be announced on Thursday.