George called up by Lions after Cowan-Dickie injury

Jamie George was a notable omission from the initial British and Irish Lions squad

England hooker Jamie George has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad after Luke Cowan-Dickie emerged as an injury doubt for the first Test against Australia next Saturday.

Hooker Cowan-Dickie, 32, looks likely to miss the game in Brisbane after suffering a suspected concussion in Saturdays big win against the AUNZ Invitational XV.

The England forward left the field on a stretcher with his head in a supportive brace after being injured while tackling Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

"He got up straight away as he got off the stretcher and hes back to being his normal self," said Lions head coach Andy Farrell.

"Its unfortunate for him, so well see what has to happen on the back of that."

Ireland and Leinster tight-head prop Tom Clarkson will also join the squad to provide additional front row cover.

Both of Irelands regular tight-head props Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham are already in Australia, with Clarkson linking up after starting Irelands 106-7 win over Portugal on Saturday.

George, a two-time Lions tourist, is in Argentina and was set to co-captain England in their second Test, but will instead join up with the Lions in Brisbane next week.

He also trained with the Lions in Dublin before the squad departed for Australia.

"Were absolutely delighted for Jamies 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."

Luke Cowan-Dickie (being taken off on a stretcher) played in all three Tests on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021

Farrell, meanwhile, confirmed centre Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia.

Ringrose, 30, was in strong contention to start the first Test in Brisbane but suffered a concussion in the Lions victory over ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.

Farrell confirmed the Ireland centre, who scored and was a standout performer against the Brumbies, would be available for the midweek game against First Nations and Pasifika XV on 22 July, before the second Test in Melbourne on 26 July.

Scotlands Huw Jones delivered another impressive performance on Saturday in the eight-try win against the AUNZ Invitational XV and now looks certain to start the opening Test at outside centre.

The 31-year-old has started his past two Lions games alongside Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre partner Sione Tuipulotu, which could now be Farrells first-Test midfield combination.

Ireland utility back Jamie Osborne was called up to the Lions squad on Thursday as "training cover" for Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn and is comfortable playing at centre or full-back.

"Garry had a delayed reaction. He had headaches for a day and it carried on for the next day so he went through concussion protocols and failed those," Farrell said.

"Unfortunately for him and for us hes [out for] 12 days, so that puts him out of the first Test and back in for the midweek game before the second Test.

"You dont mess around with these things and it is unfortunate for him and everyone else. Hes in good spirits anyway, so we crack on."

The Lions final Test against the Wallabies is on 2 August in Sydney.