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Lions move quickly to fill potential Luke Cowan-Dickie void
By Neil Fissler
The Lions boss, Andy Farrell, has sent an emergency SOS call to veteran England and Saracens hooker Jamie George to link up with his squad in Brisbane ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium.
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Farrell wasted no time in asking George, a Lions tourist in 2017 and 2021, to join up with his squad after Luke Cowan-Dickie was hurt in the 48–0 win over the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV at the Adelaide Oval.
Cowan-Dickie needed lengthy treatment after colliding with the hip of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto four minutes before the break, but in the second half was seen walking around the tunnel area just before the second half kicked off.
And Farrell, needing precautionary cover for Ireland duo Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher, wasted no time in phoning George, who is currently with England in Argentina, where tonight they will play their second Test in San Juan.
He had been due to co-captain England and will be replaced by his Saracens team-mate Theo Dan, with Northampton Saints star Curtis Langdon coming onto the bench for Steve Borthwick’s side.
George trained with the Lions in Portugal and Dublin before they left for Australia, and will fly straight to Queensland where the Lions will be training this week, before the much-anticipated first showdown with the Wallabies.
“We’re absolutely delighted for Jamie’s selection,” said England head coach Steve Borthwick. “This is also a fantastic opportunity for Theo and Curtis, who have both worked incredibly hard and really impressed in training.
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“They fully deserve this chance, we’re right behind them, and we’re all excited to see them go out there and make an impact.”
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