Lions head Coach Ian McGeechan was also forced to make a second change on the morning of the game when Team Doctor James Robson ordered Ulster back row man Stephen Ferris to step down after treatment for a calf strain. His place on the bench has been taken by fellow Irish Grand Slammer Jamie Heaslip.
"After treatment and further assessment of the injuries, the medical staff believed precaution is the sensible option considering we are at the start of the tour," said Dr James Robson.
"On this advice Ian McGeechan believed it was better for the two players and the squad that they not play in the first match today. Both players are undergoing recovery regimes with the medical staff and both players are expected to recover and play a role on tour.
"It is important to understand that the management of injuries and their treatment is not black and white. One minute an injury will respond to treatment, then its nature can change, necessitating a change in the treatment regime. That is why we are continually monitoring the players and any injuries."
British & Irish Lions (v Royal XV)
Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland, captain)
Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
Replacements
Lee Mears (Bath/England)
Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
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