Medical advice left the British & Irish Lions with no choice but to end Stuart Hogg's tour, head coach Warren Gatland has revealed.
The Scotland fullback suffered a broken facial bone during the 12-3 win over the Crusaders and after consultation with several specialists, the Lions camp confirmed he'll play no further part in New Zealand.
On Hogg's collision with teammate Conor Murray, Gatland told Sky Sports: "It was just a freak accident. He's absolutely gutted. We're feeling for him.
"We saw about four different specialists: one of them said he'd be alright and another said it's potentially serious and that he could lose his sight if he plays. We told him it was only a game of rugby and he understood that.
"If we get through without any injury, we think we've got enough cover at fullback. We'll make a decision after the next game."
The absence of Hogg, who has won the Six Nations Player of the Tournament the last two years running, throws open a race for the Lions' No. 15 shirt that will involve Elliott Daly, Leigh Halfpenny, Jared Payne, Liam Williams and Anthony Watson.
