Jamie George has revealed that he pushed to be allowed to lead England in Saturday’s second Test against Argentina after being called up by the British & Irish Lions.
The 102-cap star described himself as ‘ecstatic and overwhelmed’ to be summoned as hooker cover for his third Lions tour after Luke Cowan-Dickie was knocked out playing in Adelaide.
But he still felt divided loyalties when he was withdrawn from the England side just five hours before a second Test that they would win in dramatic fashion through Jack van Poortvliet’s last-gasp try.
‘I can’t stress enough how much playing for the Lions means to me,’ the 34-year old said before embarking on a 10,000-mile journey to Brisbane requiring three different flights. ‘I’d swim there if I had to because that is how special it is.
‘Having done two tours already, I know what it’s like, I know how good it is. Playing in 2017 was the greatest privilege of my rugby playing career, or right up there. I want to go out there and contribute as much as I possibly can.’
Still, George felt conflicting emotions on Saturday morning as news of Cowan-Dickie’s injury reached him in San Juan, followed by a message to call Lions boss Andy Farrell.
Jamie George revealed he pushed to be allowed to lead England against Argentina

George was summoned as hooker cover for his third Lions tour after Luke Cowan-Dickie was knocked out

England head coach Steve Borthwick says he has huge respect for George after his decision
‘I woke to a few messages asking if I’d seen that Luke had picked up a knock,’ he said. ‘I hadn’t seen the Lions game and at that stage I didn’t really think too much of it because we had a huge game to play.
‘Then I spoke to both Steve and Andy. The initial conversation was about whether I could play. They said I had to withdraw from the game and be on the next flight out of here.’
Borthwick added: ‘Jamie’s words were ‘I want to play tonight, I really want to play. I want to finish this part of the trip’. I had incredible respect for Jamie before, I now have even more.’
Asked what he would have done had a hooker gone down injured in the England warm-up, George replied: ‘I would have come in. I don’t know how that situation would have escalated but if ever I was given the call I would answer it.
‘I was desperate to play because we have been on a hell of a journey together over the last little while. Coming over as a young team with not a lot of experience, I’ve loved it, I’ve loved every second of it.’