Healey left speechless by verdict

'Mr Healey stated, and the disciplinary committee accepted, that he did not write the article. Nor did he say or agree with what was said in the article. Nor did he have the opportunity to check the article, and that if he had had that opportunity, he would certainly have found it unacceptable and would have required it to be changed prior to publication.

'But players have to take responsibility for any statements published under their name. Mr Healey was found to be in breach of his Lions contract.'

While Healey dashed off down the blindside biting his tongue - and wishing he had done the same two months ago - Leicester manager Dean Richards hinted that his player would be considering an appeal.

'Austin would like the chance to reflect on the hearing,' said Richards.

'He will be speaking to me and may make a statement in the next 24 or 48 hours.' Neither Healey nor Leicester offered any apology. Instead it was left to the Lions'chief executive, Roger Pickering, to underline the diplomatic damage caused by the offensive tone of Healey's column, with its promise of 'stuffing it up the arrogant Aussies'.

Pickering said:'It has been hugely damaging, causing us huge embarrassment with our hosts, the Australian Rugby Union. They were very gracious but it was embarrassing.'

Any appeal would go before the British Lions board, chaired by former Irish president and Lions legend, Syd Millar. 'There is a twotiered appeal system,' said Pickering.

'If Austin is still not satisfied, he would have the opportunity to go to an outside arbitration panel.' Healey will doubtless have plenty to say in his autobiography, due to be published next month.

Lions coach Graham Henry is also bringing out a book in which he promises to tell the full story,'warts and all'. He has already criticised Dawson and Healey for 'putting their individual agendas before that of the team, which was totally unacceptable'. Referring to Healey's fine, he said: 'It had to be done, didn't it?' Martin Johnson, Healey's club captain at Leicester and the third member of the tribunal as Lions skipper, refused to comment, but said on his website column:'Too much gets made of it. When you are on a tour like that, media interest is phenomenal and every little thing is built up out of all proportion.'

Alas, rumours that Harrison would turn up at the hearing unannounced, disguised as a gorilla, proved to be unfounded.