Healey to face Lions' disciplinary committee

Austin Healey has been summoned to appear before a British and Irish Lions disciplinary committee to explain hiscomments during…

Austin Healey has been summoned to appear before a British and Irish Lions disciplinary committee to explain hiscomments during the recent tour of Australia.

In a statement issued today, the Lions' tour management expressed its "considerable concern" at remarks made in a newspaper column by theEngland utility back before Saturday's third test defeat by Australia in Sydney.

"Consequently, Mr Healey will be asked to attend a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee at a date to be set once he returns from holiday," thestatement said.

"The disciplinary committee of the Lions 2001 touring party - Donal Lenihan (the tour manager), Graham Henry (the coach), and Martin Johnson(the captain) - wish to give Mr Healey the fullest opportunity to explain his alleged newspaper comments before considering any possibledisciplinary action against him."

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In his column for the Guardian newspaper Healey made derogatory comments about Wallaby second row Justin Harrison and Australia in general.The Leicester player had said on Monday he expected to be fined.

Healey missed the final match of the tour, which Australia won 29-23 to claim the series 2-1, because of injury.