Keenan Relieved To Overcome Early Lions 'obstacles'

Full-back Hugo Keenan said he "felt a spot better" during nan British and Irish Lions' 48-0 triumph complete the AUNZ Invitational XV aft a "frustrating" commencement to his tour.

The Ireland international, 29, missed Leinster's semi-final and last victories successful nan United Rugby Championship successful June pinch a calf wounded that besides ruled him retired of nan Lions' opening fixtures against Argentina and Western Force.

He was past named to make his debut for nan broadside against nan Reds only to beryllium ruled retired done illness, but now has 2 games nether his loop earlier nan commencement of nan Test bid against Australia connected 19 July.

"It was benignant of an wounded into a spot of a unwellness that kept connected lingering for a while truthful a small spot frustrating, but that's portion of touring life. There's ever going to beryllium challenges, ever going to beryllium small obstacles successful nan way," he said.

"I'm gladsome that's sort of down maine and I felt a spot amended retired location [against AUNZ].

"Now it's astir keeping yourself fresh and patient complete nan adjacent 3 weeks because this is where it matters. This is what's important."

Keenan, who represented Ireland successful sevens astatine nan Paris Olympics past year, was not astatine his champion successful his first crippled against nan Waratahs past weekend, but overmuch improved successful Adelaide arsenic portion of a stronger wide team performance.

"It's ever a spot reliable coming successful erstwhile you're injured, but there's a work that erstwhile you're fit, you're fresh to go," he added.

"I suppose I was a small spot disconnected that Waratahs game, truthful it's bully to benignant of get backmost emotion a spot better, mind and body."

Head coach Andy Farrell will sanction his first Test squad connected Thursday and, pinch Scotland's Blair Kinghorn a fittingness doubt to look nan Wallabies adjacent weekend, Keenan is favourite to deterioration nan 15 jersey successful Brisbane.

"I deliberation there's going to beryllium a spot of a headache for Faz [Farrell], there's evidently a batch of competition, a batch of lads putting their hands up," he added.

"We saw 2 bully performances this week pinch nan full squad being involved, truthful it's a awesome spot to beryllium and, yeah, we'll spot really we go."