Taylor will be replaced by Welsh international Michael Owen, who starts for the second time in four days after playing a prominent role during the midweek victory over Taranaki in New Plymouth, with Simon Easterby taking Owen’s original bench spot.

The Lions have already lost number eight Lawrence Dallaglio and Irish lock Malcolm O’Kelly to tour-ending injuries, and speculation will now inevitably increase that Taylor could join them.

The Lions have three games – against Wellington, Otago and Southland – before the June 25 first Test – which underlines Taylor’s difficult fight.

The 38-times capped forward experienced what the Lions termed as “some discomfort” with his hamstring after training today, forcing him to pull out.

His current situation is depressingly familiar to events on the 2001 Lions’ tour, when a knee injury forced him to return home after just one brief substitute’s appearance in the opening game against Western Australia.

“Any injury is a concern, but he is getting expert help and hopefully he will be fit for the following week,” said Lions’ coach Andy Robinson after the tourists arrived in Hamilton today from their Auckland base.

“It is better to give him more time to recover. We have a big squad and we are able to cope with it.”

Speaking before today’s latest injury blow, Taylor said: “It has been hard. When you are injured, you don’t think about anything else apart from how miserable you are.”

Taylor’s situation will continue to be monitored over the next few days, and although the Lions have plenty of cover in the back-row positions, Owen, for one, will not be available to face Wellington.

He will make a flying visit home on Sunday to be with his pregnant wife, Lucy, before returning to join the tour party.