Jamie Osborne and Tom Clarkson join Jamie George in Lions squad before first British & Irish Lions first Test against Australia in Brisbane
By James Hilsum
Updated 13/07/2025 at 11:27 GMT+1
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Andy Farrell has brought in three players to bolster his squad for the first Test against Australia next Saturday in Brisbane, as the countdown accelerates ahead of the first of four Tests. Farrell's options took a hit following Luke Cowan-Dickie's injury sustained in the final warm-up match against an AUNZ Invitational XV side on Saturday.
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Jamie Osborne and Tom Clarkson have been called up alongside Jamie George ahead of the British & Irish Lions' first Test against Australia next Saturday.
England hooker George comes in as cover for Luke Cowan-Dickie after he was stretched off in Saturday's 48-0 win over a AUNZ Invitational XV with concussion.
Speaking after Cowan-Dickie's injury, head coach Andy Farrell told Sky Sports: "He is in good spirits and is back to his normal self.
"It looked like a concussion so we will have to see what happens after that. We will wait to see what the medics say."
The Saracens star is flying in from Argentina following England’s 22-17 victory in the second Test, while Osborne and Clarkson also head Down Under.
Clarkson, the Ireland tight-head prop, comes in to bolster the Lions’ front row options, while compatriot and team-mate Osborne adds another option at the back.
The first Test against Australia takes place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane after five successful warm-up matches for Farrell’s side.
They overcame Western Force (7-54), Queensland Reds (12-52), NSW Waratahs (10-21), ACT Brumbies (24-36) and an AUNZ Invitational XV (0-48) to prepare for the series in the best possible fashion.
Speaking after that win over an AUNZ Invitational XV, Farrell added: "I thought it was a good and professional performance.
"When you play these types of games and the types of personnel you can face, anything can happen but I thought we played nice, controlled rugby and we didn't let them in the game. We are pleased with our game control.
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"We stayed at it, it was never going to be perfect, and kept going as a team, that's the main thing. There were some great individual performances but we gelled well as a team.
"We need to enjoy a bit of downtime as it has been full on for 14 days, it has been a tough old block.
"We want people to put their hands up and this group will roll on together and go after the Test series together."
The first Test in Brisbane will be followed by further Tests in Melbourne, on July 26, and in Sydney, on August 2.
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