Back out to solve Lions problems

The England and Leicester forward will definitely miss the games against Wellington and Otago and is a major doubt for the first Test on 25 June.

A statement on the 27-year-old's tour future will be made on Wednesday.

His place on the bench for Wednesday's match with Wellington has been taken by England colleague Richard Hill.

"He is out of the selection process for the weekend," said assistant coach Gareth Jenkins.

"There isn't a huge concern, but we'll know more on Wednesday, 48 hours after the knock.

"It is unfortunate for him, but we have got a big squad and to be able to bring in someone like Richard Hill only serves to justify our approach.

Moody's versatility will be greatly missed From PJ Have your say on Scrum V

"We are two games away from picking our Test team so there are two opportunities left for every player on the tour to make a statement and that is important."

The Lions have already seen Malcolm O'Kelly, Lawrence Dallaglio and Simon Taylor ruled out of the tour through injury.

The versatile Moody, who can play at blind-side or open-side flanker, was in contention for the Test 22 but is now unlikely to feature against the All Blacks in Christchurch on 25 June.

Nonu handed start by Wellington

There are also concerns over giant prop Andrew Sheridan, who is battling to overcome an ankle injury sustained against the New Zealand Maori on Saturday.

Sheridan has not trained since the Maori game, raising doubts over his fitness for Saturday's game against Otago in Dunedin.

But Jenkins said: "It is not anything to be majorly concerned about. It is a case of treatment and being assessed on a daily basis."

British and Irish Lions: J Lewsey (England); J Robinson (England), B O'Driscoll (Ireland, capt), G Henson (Wales), G Thomas (Wales); J Wilkinson (England), D Peel (Wales); G Jenkins (Wales), S Byrne (Ireland), J White (England); D Grewcock (England), B Kay (England); S Easterby (Ireland), N Back (England), M Corry (England).
Replacements: G Bulloch (Scotland), M Stevens (England), P O'Connell (Ireland), R Hill (England), C Cusiter (Scotland), S Jones (Wales), S Horgan (Ireland).