SCOTLAND prop Euan Murray and Wales fly-half James Hook have been ruled out of the Lions team for Saturday's first Test against South Africa in Durban.

Both players suffered injuries in Tuesday’s bruising 20-8 victory over Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Murray sprained his right ankle, while Hook took a blow to the neck and head.

Lions assistant coach Rob Howley said: “Neither player will be available for selection for the first Test.

“It is an ongoing assessment with both players.”

Hook was the more likely contender for the Test 22, as he had been widely expected to provide midfield cover following an impressive tour, which has so far yielded 32 points for the Ospreys star.

Tight-head Murray has his right ankle in a cast, although an X-ray revealed that their was no fracture to the joint.

“The good news is that Euan has had an X-ray and there is no break. It is just a sprain,” explained Lions head coach Ian McGeechan after the game, who is due to announce his Test side today.

The Lions have two other specialist tight-head props in Phil Vickery and Adam Jones, while Gethin Jenkins is also able to play on both sides of the scrum.

Although Tuesday’s match was an often brutal affair, the match citing commissioner has opted to take no further action against any players.

As part of the tour agreement, he had a 12-hour window to make a citing but has decided not to go down that route.

Meanwhile, England have called off their autumn international against cash-strapped Fiji and will instead play Australia at Twickenham on November 7.

The Rugby Football Union has taken the move in a bid to strengthen the financial position of Fijian rugby, which had threatened to prevent them touring altogether.

A “significant portion” of the estimated £7m surplus from the Australia game will be funnelled directly into Fijian rugby.

The deal allows Fiji to continue with their planned autumn Tests against Ireland and Scotland and replace the game against England on November 28 with a Test in the United States.

The Wallabies have also confirmed they will play Fiji in Australia on June 5 next year, a week before England begin a two-Test series.

The schedule change was approved by the International Rugby Board as part of a global package of measures designed to support Fijian rugby.

Fiji have lost the backing of their major sponsor and recorded a financial loss of F 770,000 (£230,000) last year.