George looks for pay-off after his two-day trek

JAMIE GEORGE was in the air for nearly two days as he raced to join the Lions - and is keen to be rewarded with an Ashes-style celebration at the MCG.

- From Adam Hathaway

The England hooker was in Argentina when he was called up by Lions head coach Andy Farrell for his third tour in red.

He starts against First Nations & Pasifika in Melbourne today.

The game is the last chance for players to stake a claim for a spot in Saturday’s second Test against Australia, with the Lions holding a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

George, 34, has a shot at a bench spot for the Test, with Luke Cowan-Dickie sidelined, and says the travel would be worth it if he nailed a first series win in his third Lions tour.