The British and Irish Lions were forced into two changes ahead of Saturday's opening match of their South African tour against Royal XV at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg with injury ruling out forwards Andy Powell and Stephen Ferris.

Welshman Powell was set to start at number eight but gave way after he suffered a hand problem understood to be the result of an insect bite.

His place goes to Munster's David Wallace, while Jamie Heaslip takes Ferris' place on the replacements bench after Ferris injured a calf muscle in training.

"Both players suffered injuries this week in training and unfortunately their recovery has been slower than anticipated," said Tour manager Gerald Davies.

Lions team doctor James Robson explained the changes came after careful consideration.

"After treatment and further assessment of the injuries the medical staff believe precaution is the sensible option considering we are at the start of the tour.

"On this advice head coach Ian McGeechan believed it was better for the two players and the squad that they not play in the first match today," Robson told reporters.

"Both players are undergoing recovery regimes with the medical staff and both players are expected to recover and play a role on tour.

"It is important to understand that the management of injuries and their treatment is not black and white. One minute an injury will respond to treatment, then its nature can change, necessitating a change in the treatment regime.

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