In a swift response to an early tour setback, veteran England hooker Jamie George has been called into the British & Irish Lions squad currently touring Australia. This marks George`s third inclusion in the prestigious touring party, adding significant experience to the front row ahead of the crucial Test series against the Wallabies.
The necessity for a reinforcement arose during the Lions` recent warm-up fixture against the ANZAC XV. Starting hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie was forced to leave the field prematurely after sustaining a blow to the head from a knee. While initial reports indicate Cowan-Dickie is recovering and the injury is not considered career-threatening, the impact is sufficient to rule him out of contention for the first Test match, scheduled for July 19th.
George, who is currently in Argentina with the England squad, will now undertake the lengthy journey to Australia to link up with his new teammates. His previous Lions experience includes the 2017 tour to New Zealand and the 2021 series in South Africa, making him a known and trusted commodity within the Lions setup.
Interestingly, despite the call-up for George, Luke Cowan-Dickie is expected to remain with the touring squad. His presence offers depth and the potential for involvement later in the tour if his recovery progresses as anticipated. This situation creates a somewhat unusual scenario with an expanded hooker contingent, underlining the importance placed on this specialist position, particularly given the physical demands of facing the Australian pack.
The Lions camp will undoubtedly view George`s arrival as a timely boost, bringing a wealth of set-piece knowledge and leadership at a critical juncture. His integration into the squad structure ahead of the highly anticipated Test matches will be a key focus in the coming days as the Lions fine-tune their preparations.
