logo
Jamie George full of pride in Lions return despite ‘midweek massive' role

Jamie George full of pride in Lions return despite ‘midweek massive' role

The Guardian4 days ago
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.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Australia vs British & Irish Lions betting tips: 2nd Test prediction and best bets
Australia vs British & Irish Lions betting tips: 2nd Test prediction and best bets

The Independent

time16 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Australia vs British & Irish Lions betting tips: 2nd Test prediction and best bets

Australia vs Lions tips: After winning the first Test last weekend, the British & Irish Lions could wrap up the series win against Australia with a win in Melbourne on Saturday (11am, Sky Sports Main Event). Andy Farrell's side secured a 27-19 win in Brisbane, thanks to tries from Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Curry and Dan Sheehan, but it could have been so much better. The Lions were leading 24-5 early in the second half, but a combination of a slower last half hour and an Australian improvement saw them cut the deficit to just eight. Farrell is expecting an improvement from Australia, who will have key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini available again after missing the Brisbane opener with calf injuries. But he also knows there is more to come from his Lions side, not least a performance that lasts the whole match. Australia vs Lions prediction: Lions to secure the series Rugby betting sites are backing the Lions to win the series 3-0 at odds of 1/3, while a 2-1 win is 3/1, so they are not holding out much hope that Australia will improve enough to win this weekend. You can get just 1/5 on a Lions Test win, but 7/2 on a win for the home side, while a rare draw is priced at 28/1. Eight points separated the two sides in the first match, and you can get 5/1 on the Lions winning by 6-10, but with Australia strengthened with the experienced duo returning, the Wallabies could make further inroads into that total. Farrell's side were perhaps guilty of letting their foot off the gas in the second half, but with the chance to close out the series, we're backing them to get the job done in Melbourne. Australia vs Lions betting tips: Sheehan to score another try I backed Sheehan to score a try in the first Test, and that one came off as he ran in the third and final try for the Lions just after the break, and I'm backing him again to come up with the goods once more. Sheehan has been dangerous in and around the tryline to date down under. He scored the first try in Australia with just one minute on the clock in the Lions' opening game against Western Force in Perth. The Irish hooker also scored five tries for his country in this year's Six Nations and betting sites are offering a price of 11/8 on him scoring anytime in the Lions tour odds. Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive, and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.

Martin Johnson inspires Lions ahead of crucial second Test against Australia
Martin Johnson inspires Lions ahead of crucial second Test against Australia

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Martin Johnson inspires Lions ahead of crucial second Test against Australia

The British and Irish Lions will stage their attempt to close out a series victory over Australia inspired by the words of Martin Johnson. Johnson presented the jerseys to Andy Farrell's team as a surprise guest speaker at a special ceremony before dinner as part of the build-up to Saturday's second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The former England lock captained two Lions tours, overseeing a series triumph against South Africa in 1997 and a defeat to Australia four years later, and drew on his experience to outline what will be required against the Wallabies. 'Martin speaks nice and calmly. It was a privilege to have him there,' scrum coach John Fogarty said. 'He talked a bit about the Lions series they won and the Lions series they lost and the difference in both. 'The room was completely quiet for the whole time he spoke. There were guys just staring up at him. Maro asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. 'There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked, which is a good thing. It was a quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon.' The Lions seized a 1-0 lead in the series by outmuscling Australia 27-19 in Brisbane last Saturday, placing them just 80 minutes away from emulating Johnson's heroes of 1997. However, they are braced for a backlash from opponents who finished the opener strongly and who have been reinforced by the return of powerful forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini from injury. 'Martin said it is the smallest of margins in the biggest of games. He talked about being able to get back to neutral and talking about being in the moment,' Fogarty said. 'All that stuff is difficult when you're playing in front of 95,000 people in a stadium as iconic as the MCG. 'When you're under pressure or applying pressure your emotions can go up and down, so being able to get back to neutral or find a way to get clarity back in your mind in the shortest of times is difficult for players. 'That's really important for us in this game. We are not going to get everything our own way and we know it's going to be a game of small margins. So it was good advice.' The Lions have confirmed that Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham – all late call-ups from Scotland's tour of New Zealand brought in to help with Tuesday's fixture against the First Nations and Pasifika XV – have returned home.

Lions eye series victory against Australia- talking points ahead of second Test
Lions eye series victory against Australia- talking points ahead of second Test

Powys County Times

timean hour ago

  • Powys County Times

Lions eye series victory against Australia- talking points ahead of second Test

The British and Irish Lions are aiming to complete their first series victory since 2013 when they clash with Australia in the second Test. Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into their collision at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Lions move in for the kill A flawless record of seven wins since arriving Down Under has placed the Lions on the brink of an achievement that has only been managed twice before in the professional era. Successful Lions tours are the exception, not the rule, but they are overwhelming favourites to crush Australia for the second time. The persistent rain forecast to fall throughout Saturday could be a leveller, but on the strength of a one-sided first Test, Andy Farrell's men should be comfortable winners. We're ready for you Melbourne! 🔜🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 25, 2025 Do or die for Australia The Wallabies are not just playing to keep the series alive, but also their credibility as a tour destination for the elite of British and Irish rugby. These are difficult times for Australian rugby and even though their precarious finances have been shored up by the Lions' visit, problems abound on and off the field. It is imperative that they take the series to a decider by rising to the occasion in Melbourne. If they lose again, calls for the Lions to instead turn their attention to the mouth-watering prospect of a tour to France will only grow louder. Down but not out For all their difficulties, Joe Schmidt's men are not without hope for their shot at levelling the series. They scored more points in the second-half at Suncorp Stadium where, unexpectedly, their bench made the greater impact. Reinforcing their assault on the Lions are the return of powerful forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, whose very presence after missing the first Test because of calf injuries should prevent their pack being bullied again. Valetini's ball carrying at the blindside flanker is a particularly important weapon. A rock in red! 💪🔴 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 24, 2025 Comeback king One of the most fascinating stories of the tour took another twist when Owen Farrell was named on the bench for the MCG clash. If he comes on, the former England captain will be making his first Test appearance in almost two years. Even after two quietly encouraging performances on tour, including a full 80 minutes on Tuesday when he proved his fitness following a season of injury setbacks, the involvement of Andy Farrell's son as a late call-up divides opinion, but so far his presence has only benefitted the squad. Stage set for Russell Much of the spotlight this week has fallen on Owen Farrell, allowing the Lions' real star to glide into the second Test relatively unnoticed. In Brisbane, Finn Russell was mesmerising at times during a first half when his passing repeatedly unlocked Australia's defence. Aided by a dominant pack and the generalship of scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park, the 32-year-old is functioning at the peak of his powers and has another opportunity to prove that on current form, he is the game's standout fly-half.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store