WARREN Gatland has revealed medics warned Stuart Hogg could have risked losing his sight if he suffered another bang on top of his cheek injury.
Scotland full-back Hogg will miss the rest of the British and Irish Lions tour after sustaining a “facial bone fracture” during Saturday’s 12-3 win over the Crusaders.
Hogg collided unwittingly with Conor Murray’s elbow as the Ireland scrum-half sought to let the Glasgow star launch a counter-attack in the first half of the Crusaders clash.
The Lions hope they will not need to call up a replacement, but head coach Gatland admitted they canvassed four specialists before ruling Hogg out of the rest of the New Zealand tour.
“It was just a freak accident,” Gatland said. “He’s absolutely gutted. We’re feeling for him.
“We saw about four different specialists: one of them said he’d be alright and another said it’s potentially serious and that he could lose his sight if he plays.
“We told him it was only a game of rugby and he understood that.
“It we get through tonight without any injury, we think we’ve got enough cover at full-back.”
Defence coach Andy Farrell suggested on Monday that the tourists already have enough options to offset Hogg’s absence.
“It is hugely disappointing for Stuart to have to return home early and for us to lose one of our touring party,” said Gatland.
“Stuart has been a key member of our squad on and off the field and it is disappointing to see injury cut short his time with us in New Zealand.
“We all wish him the best with his recovery and we look forward to seeing him back in action in the future.”
Hogg would have been one of the main backline talents Gatland could have expected to deliver the X-factor attacking play he has been seeking in New Zealand.
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