Henshaw could be out for four months

Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw could be sidelined for up to 16 weeks following surgery on a "significant" shoulder injury.

Henshaw injured his left shoulder making a tackle on Vaea Fifita during the British and Irish Lions' 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes in Wellington on 27 June, and flew home from New Zealand to undergo surgery in Dublin on Monday.

The Lions' head of medicine Dr Eanna Falvey confirmed that Henshaw tore his pectoral muscle off the bone, and doctors needed to re-attach the muscle during the surgery.

The 24-year-old will miss the start of the Pro 12 season in September, and may also be a doubt for Leinster's European Champions Cup pool games in October and Ireland's internationals against South Africa, Argentina and Fiji in November.

"With regard to Robbie Henshaw, that was a pretty significant injury, he's completely avulsed the muscle from the bone, which requires it to be re-attached to the bone," he said.

"That's usually about a 16-week recovery. He may do slightly better, but that's probably what we're looking at."

Ireland centre Jared Payne has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Auckland ahead of the third and final Test at Eden Park on Saturday, as he continues to undergo tests in Wellington following a head injury.

"He's actually suffering from migraine," Dr Falvey said.

"He had a bang in the Chiefs game [on 20 June], but he was fully cleared from concussion.

"But he's been struggling with migraines and that's an independent process since then.

"The specialist is quite happy with him. He'll have a couple more minor tests, and that will give us more idea. But while he still has a headache, he won't be training."

The Lions tied the series at 1-1 with a 24-21 second Test victory over the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

New Zealand won the first Test of the three-Test series 30-15 at Eden Park on 24 June.

Image: Inpho/Dan Sheridan

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