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The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jamie George full of pride in Lions return despite ‘midweek massive' role
There are plenty of reasons to question the British & Irish Lions' clash with a First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday. To wonder what the point of it is, sandwiched between the first two Tests. That the Lions have shipped in five players specifically to keep their frontline stars wrapped in cotton wool suggests it is little more than an inconvenience to the tourists. Then you listen to Jamie George explain what it means to him to represent the Lions again and it immediately changes your perception. Bin juice has never tasted so good. It took George 47 hours to make the journey from San Juan, not far from the Andes in Argentina, where he was preparing to represent England against the Pumas, to Brisbane to join up with the Lions before the first Test. Devastated at missing out on the initial squad, George jumped at the chance to come in as cover for Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is still recovering from concussion. A flight to Buenos Aires was followed by another to Rio de Janeiro, another to Dubai and then on to Brisbane. 'I gave the world a good lap,' he says, explaining that the gangster series Mobland and 'some pretty horrific moves' including the Kevin Costner golf classic Tin Cup kept him busy while sticking to a strict sleep regime prescribed by the Lions. George Jamie Osborne – cover for Garry Ringrose – as well as Thomas Clarkson, Darcy Graham, Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown and Rory Sutherland all make the squad for Tuesday's fixture, along with Blair Kinghorn who returns after a knee injury. Andy Farrell insists he is keeping an open mind when it comes to selection for the second Test but in reality only Kinghorn and Ringrose, who is on the bench, have a realistic shot at making the XV. Owen Farrell is captain and he could conceivably make the 23, as could George. On the whole, however, those selected are the dirt-trackers, the bin juice or the midweek massive. For his part, George is determined to make the most of his second chance on his third Lions tour. A cancelled flight delayed the arrival of his father, Ian, whose presence in Melbourne gives the fixture extra meaning to George. He lost his mother, Jane, to cancer last year and George cites having his parents on the 2017 tour of New Zealand as one of his happiest memories. 'My old man is on the way,' said George. 'Obviously it's sad that my mum is not going to be able to be here but being able to do stuff like this for people like my old man, giving him the opportunity to travel around Australia, to watch his son play for the Lions. That's the special bit about what I do and it's my biggest motivation about why I do what I do. 'It's emotional to be back out there because I never thought this opportunity was going to come, however many weeks ago the squad was announced and I was heartbroken and now I've got the opportunity to pull the jersey on again and it might be the last time, it might not be. But I'll try to put my best foot forward and play like it's the last time and when I do it like that I want to make people proud, I want to do the jersey proud and do everything I possibly can to win in a Lions jersey because I think international selection is one thing but winning as a Lions is different so that's what I'm here to do. 'It's absolutely about gathering momentum for the boys in the Test team and giving them confidence in terms of what they see from us. Of course it's an amazing opportunity to put your name forward for Test selection. That's the way that people have got to see it.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion George is a huge cricket fan and so the significance of the Lions playing the second Test at the MCG is not lost on him. The 34-year-old hooker admits that attending a Boxing Day Test is 'bucket list' and did not rule out leading a 'sprinkler' celebration, as Graeme Swann did when England retained the Ashes in the 2010-11 contest in Melbourne. 'What a great shout that is,' he added. 'I see myself as a sort of Graeme Swann figure. Similar characters, both talented blokes. It could happen, yeah, who knows. Bucket list stuff for me is watching the Boxing Day Test there. I'd be getting stuck in once I've retired. In the Barmy Army, 100%, I'd be in the mix, shirt off, I'd have anywhere between 15 and 20 pints. A tattoo of Joe Root on one arm, Ben Stokes on the other. 'How good is it going to be? 100,000 people at the MCG. I thought the atmosphere was good at the weekend but from experience it just goes like that [upwards] in the second and third Tests.'
France 24
13-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Farrell happy to have Lions selection headaches for Wallabies Test
In their final assignment before next Saturday's first Test against the Wallabies at Brisbane, the Lions were clinical in a 48-0 rout, running in eight tries, three of them to Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe. After an upset loss to Argentina in Dublin, then five straight wins since arriving in Australia, Farrell must now decide who makes his starting XV for the business end of the tour. Plenty of players put their hand up on Saturday evening, with some tough calls now needed. "That's exactly what we want, people putting their hands up," Farrell said. "I just said to the players that selection is going to be unbelievably difficult. "That's how it should be. I know that we've got a group that's as cohesive as it gets and they're all rowing together, no matter what, because it takes a squad to win a series," he added. "The lads who get picked in the first Test, they'll be the lucky ones to represent the group, but they've also got to earn the right to keep that jersey for the second Test as well." While a handful of positions will be locked in, injury worries have complicated matters. Centre Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of the first Test after being placed in concussion protocols, while hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is also a doubt after a head knock. Ringrose and Irish teammate Bundee Aki were shaping as the likely midfield pair, but it now seems Scottish counterparts Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu may get the nod. With concern lingering over a knee injury to Scot Blair Kinghorn, Ireland's Hugo Keenan did his chances no harm in Adelaide of starting at fullback against Australia. Who wears the number seven shirt is another conundrum for Farrell, with Jac Morgan of Wales, England's Tom Curry and Ireland's Josh van der Flier all in the mix. "When we get to Brisbane, we'll have a coaches' meeting like we always do and discuss how the week is going to unfold," said Farrell. "We train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll get to a performance day on Wednesday and everyone will know where they're at." © 2025 AFP
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jamie George handed emergency last-minute call up to British & Irish Lions squad to replace injured hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie ahead of Australia Test
Jamie George will soon be on his way to join up with the Lions in Brisbane, after being withdrawn from England's second Test against Argentina, to prepare for an arduous journey from the Andes to Australia. The 34-year-old is rapidly responding to an emergency call-up from Andy Farrell, in order to provide cover for fellow England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who appeared to be knocked out during the 48-0 win over an Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV here. Cowan-Dickie is expected to join Ireland centre Garry Ringrose as a concussion casualty who will be unavailable for the first Test against the Wallabies next Saturday. Cowan-Dickie was left motionless on the pitch in the first half at the Adelaide Oval after attempting to tackle opposition lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. He was treated for several minutes before being stretchered off with his neck in a brace. Shortly after half-time, the Sale veteran was seen walking around the perimeter of the field towards the tunnel and waving to nearby Lions fans. While he goes through return-to-play protocols, George will set off from San Juan – where England take on the Pumas on Saturday – and fly to Brisbane via stops in Buenos Aires and Dubai. He will meet up with the Lions squad early next week as an experienced, pedigree reinforcement. Dan Sheehan will be the tourists' starting hooker in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium, under-studied by compatriot Ronan Kelleher, but George will provide vital, additional cover. Meanwhile, the setback for Ringrose has created more upheaval for Lions head coach Farrell, as he seeks to fine-tune his selection plans for the first Test. The Leinster and Ireland centre had given himself every chance of inclusion in the starting XV with a commanding midweek display in the win over the Brumbies in Canberra, but he later began to suffer from concussion symptoms. 'Garry unfortunately had a delayed reaction, headaches for a day which carried on the next day,' said Farrell. 'He went through concussion protocols and failed those. Unfortunately for Garry and for us, he's out for 12 days. So, he is out of the first Test, but he could be back for the midweek game between the Tests.' The untimely head knock for Ringrose has created an opportunity for Scotland centre Huw Jones to claim the No 13 shirt for the first Test, but the overall make-up of the midfield will remain a subject of intrigue until Farrell names his line-up on Thursday in Brisbane.
BreakingNews.ie
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Owen Farrell makes first appearance on Lions tour as Huw Jones lights up victory
Owen Farrell made his first appearance on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia but it was the player he replaced, Huw Jones who lit up a 48-0 victory over an AUNZ Invitational XV. The Lions delivered their most emphatic win a week out from the first Test against the Wallabies in an eight-try demolition at Adelaide Oval that was marred only by a head injury to Luke Cowan-Dickie. Advertisement Cowan-Dickie was forced off after appearing to be knocked out when making a tackle and while he was seen walking around the field at half-time, he will face a spell on the sidelines that may force the Lions to call up additional cover at hooker. 5️⃣ from 5️⃣ in Australia ✅ #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 12, 2025 And given that Garry Ringrose may miss the series opener because of suspected concussion, Jones timed his swashbuckling reminder of his threat from outside centre to perfection. The Scotland star was not among the try-scorers – Duhan van der Merwe took star billing on that front with a hat-trick – but he repeatedly carved AUNZ open to show he is ready to start in Brisbane next Saturday. Farrell came on at inside centre to the now customary mixture of boos and cheers in the 48th minute and he made a telling contribution as second receiver outside Marcus Smith, who had replaced Fin Smith. Advertisement It was surprisingly easy pickings against a stacked AUNZ line-up, the nations' first composite side for 36 years that contained 17 Wallabies and All Blacks but desperately lacked cohesion, having only been thrown together this week. Duhan van der Merwe took star billing with a hat-trick for the Lions (David Davies/PA) Pleasingly for the Lions, several of the shortcomings evident throughout the tour were much improved, including their breakdown work, restarts and decision making in attack. And for the first time on tour, they seized control from the kick-off rather falling behind early – to the point they were out of sight by the end of the opening quarter after plundering three slick tries. Two of them easy finishes for Van der Merwe, who profited from the ambition and quick thinking of his team-mates. Advertisement DUHI'S SECOND 🦁 Watch every game live on @SkySports . #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 12, 2025 The seventh-minute opener came after a quickly-taken line-out by Hugo Keenan before scrum-half Ben White darted through where the ruck defence should have been to touch down on his debut for the tourists. White's try came after AUNZ had been carved open through purposeful running and sharp handling with Mack Hansen and Jones particularly dangerous. Henry Pollock was held up over the line as the Lions' domination continued and they detonated an overworked home defence again in the 21st minute with crisp passing giving Van der Merwe his second. When the time came for the Lions to show their mettle in their own 22, they stepped up admirably, although Cowan-Dickie's head injury came during one of the defensive set. Advertisement Scott Cummings took three tacklers with him as he rampaged over (David Davies/PA) Sione Tuipulotu was the next to score as his direct line off a short-range penalty met with no resistance, with the impressive Ben Earl delivering the final pass. The Scottish theme to the try-scoring continued when Scott Cummings took three tacklers with him as he rampaged over and then Van der Merwe completed his hat-trick after Farrell had acted as first receiver. Ronan Kelleher and Pollock went over to bring an end to Scotland's grip on the scoreboard and for the time since 2013, the Lions had nilled their opponents.
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Owen Farrell makes first appearance on Lions tour as Huw Jones lights up victory
Owen Farrell made his first appearance on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia but it was the player he replaced, Huw Jones who lit up a 48-0 victory over an AUNZ Invitational XV. The Lions delivered their most emphatic win a week out from the first Test against the Wallabies in an eight-try demolition at Adelaide Oval that was marred only by a head injury to Luke Cowan-Dickie. Cowan-Dickie was forced off after appearing to be knocked out when making a tackle and while he was seen walking around the field at half-time, he will face a spell on the sidelines that may force the Lions to call up additional cover at hooker. And given that Garry Ringrose may miss the series opener because of suspected concussion, Jones timed his swashbuckling reminder of his threat from outside centre to perfection. The Scotland star was not among the try-scorers – Duhan van der Merwe took star billing on that front with a hat-trick – but he repeatedly carved AUNZ open to show he is ready to start in Brisbane next Saturday. Farrell came on at inside centre to the now customary mixture of boos and cheers in the 48th minute and he made a telling contribution as second receiver outside Marcus Smith, who had replaced Fin Smith. It was surprisingly easy pickings against a stacked AUNZ line-up, the nations' first composite side for 36 years that contained 17 Wallabies and All Blacks but desperately lacked cohesion, having only been thrown together this week. Pleasingly for the Lions, several of the shortcomings evident throughout the tour were much improved, including their breakdown work, restarts and decision making in attack. And for the first time on tour, they seized control from the kick-off rather falling behind early – to the point they were out of sight by the end of the opening quarter after plundering three slick tries. Two of them easy finishes for Van der Merwe, who profited from the ambition and quick thinking of his team-mates. The seventh-minute opener came after a quickly-taken line-out by Hugo Keenan before scrum-half Ben White darted through where the ruck defence should have been to touch down on his debut for the tourists. White's try came after AUNZ had been carved open through purposeful running and sharp handling with Mack Hansen and Jones particularly dangerous. Henry Pollock was held up over the line as the Lions' domination continued and they detonated an overworked home defence again in the 21st minute with crisp passing giving Van der Merwe his second. When the time came for the Lions to show their mettle in their own 22, they stepped up admirably, although Cowan-Dickie's head injury came during one of the defensive set. Sione Tuipulotu was the next to score as his direct line off a short-range penalty met with no resistance, with the impressive Ben Earl delivering the final pass. The Scottish theme to the try-scoring continued when Scott Cummings took three tacklers with him as he rampaged over and then Van der Merwe completed his hat-trick after Farrell had acted as first receiver. Ronan Kelleher and Pollock went over to bring an end to Scotland's grip on the scoreboard and for the time since 2013, the Lions had nilled their opponents.
