Tomos Williams ruled out of British and Irish Lions tour with hamstring tear, Scotland's Ben White called up as replacement
By Rhys Jones
Updated 30/06/2025 at 11:00 GMT+1
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British and Irish Lions scrum-half Tomos Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the tour after suffering a hamstring injury during the tour opener, a 54-7 win against Western Force. Williams was injured whilst scoring his second try in Perth. Lions boss Andy Farrell confirmed that Ben White has been called up from Scotland's tour of New Zealand to replace the Welshman.
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Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in a huge blow to the tourists.
Williams, who was the Gallagher Premiership's Player of the Season, suffered a torn hamstring whilst scoring his second try against Western Force in a 54-7 win in Perth on Saturday.
Ben White has been called up from Scotland's tour of New Zealand to replace the Welshman.
His departure means that only Jac Morgan remains as the sole representative of Wales on this year's Lions tour.
White has impressed in the Top 14 since joining Toulon in 2023, following London Irish going into administration, and has regularly partnered Lions fly-half Finn Russell for Scotland.
Lions head coach Andy Farrell confirmed Williams' injury and said: "Unfortunately ,Tomos has been ruled out of the rest of the Tour with a hamstring injury.
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"Ben White will join us from the Scotland squad and will fly over from New Zealand."
He added: "He's an outstanding player - he's played unbelievably well. But we won't just miss the player, we'll miss the bloke.
"He's everything you want to have on a tour which makes it tougher for us all.''
Lions tour manager Ieuan Evans said: "This is desperately sad news for Tomos and we wish him all the very best in his recovery.
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"Tomos is an exemplary Lion who has had a brilliant season having joined the Tour after being named as Premiership Rugby's Player of the Season. He lit up this Lions Tour with both his personality and his talent."
Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park will make his first start of the Lions tour and take the No. 9 jersey against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday after recovering from a glute injury.
"We know each game on this Tour will be a step up from the game before and three more players are set to make their Lions debuts on Wednesday night, so congratulations to those guys," added Farrell.
'I've not stopped shaking' - White on Lions call-up
The Scottish scrum-half admitted he has "not stopped shaking" since getting the call from Lions boss Farrell to replace Williams.
White, who was on Scotland's tour of New Zealand as they prepared to face the Maori All Blacks, has flown to Australia and becomes the eighth Scottish international in the squad.
"It’s pretty crazy and it’s not sunk in yet to be honest," White said. "He called me this morning and I’ve not stopped shaking since. It’s an incredible honour.
"I called my Mum and Dad straight away. They were incredibly proud and it was an amazing phone call to have.
"It’s something you dream of but not something you think you’ll do. Along your rugby journey there are a lot of people who help you to be where you, especially your family so I’m incredibly grateful (for the opportunity).
"There are a fair few Scottish boys in the squad so it’ll be good to see them again and meet the guys I don’t know too well. I’m really excited to get to know everyone and get going."
White joins Scott Cummings, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Pierre Schoeman, Sione Tuipulotu and Duhan van der Merwe on tour in Australia.
Gus Warr has joined the Scotland team in Whangarei in place of White.
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