He follows Simon Taylor and Phil Greening as the Lions’ third major injury casualty, and he will leave the squad after Saturday’s game against New South Wales.

Gibbs, who has won more than 50 Welsh caps, produced outstanding form when the Lions toppled South Africa four years ago.

He was considered unlucky to miss out on the original tour selection, but is now on his way Down Under and is due to arrive tomorrow evening.

Lions coach Graham Henry had announced a team showing 12 changes - only Will Greenwood, Lawrence Dallaglio and Scott Quinnell remain - to face NSW following yesterday’s setback.

Despite the game coming just seven days before the first showdown with Australia, Henry insisted that this wasn’t his Test team.

It does have a Test feel about it, though, with big guns like Jonny Wilkinson, Keith Wood, Martin Johnson and Dallaglio all featuring.

Scrum-half Rob Howley wasn’t considered because of a rib injury, but should be fit to play against New South Wales Country next Tuesday.

Lions team to play NSW: I Balshaw (England); D James (Wales), B O’Driscoll (Ireland), W Greenwood (England), D Luger (England); J Wilkinson (England), M Dawson (England); D Morris (Wales), K Wood (Ireland), P Vickery (England), M Johnson (England, capt), D Grewcock (England), L Dallaglio (England), N Back (England), S Quinnell (Wales).

Replacements: T Smith (Scotland), R McBryde (Wales), M Corry (England), R Hill (England), A Healey (England), R O’Gara (Ireland), J Robinson (England).