Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' final Test against South Africa on Saturday.

O'Driscoll suffered a clash of heads in the second Test last weekend, won 28-25 by the Springboks, and will travel home on Wednesday.

Also heading home was Osprey and Wales prop Adam Jones, who suffered a dislocated shoulder during the match requiring hospital treatment to have the shoulder put back into place.

It soon became apparent on Monday that O'Driscoll, who was badly concussed, was not going to be ready for a return to action for Saturday's third Test in Johannesburg.

"Being a part of the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad has been one of the highlights of my career," O'Driscoll said.

"We were unbeaten leading into the Test matches and it is a shame that the results in the Tests did not go our way but sport comes down to fine margins at times.

"We could easily have won the first two Tests but it wasn't to be. I have decided to return home to my family this week after a very long season and to ensure I give myself every opportunity to recuperate."

Jones will return home for further specialist opinion and treatment on his injured shoulder.

"It is always disappointing to be ruled out of a Test series through injury but I am proud of what the squad and I have achieved on the tour," he said.

"Personally I will always remember playing in the two first Tests and especially running on for my debut in the starting XV at Loftus Versfeld.

Prop Gethin Jenkins who suffered a broken cheekbone in the same match and was also ruled out of the rest of the tour will stay with the tour party.

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