- Date of Birth25 / 03 / 1874
- Died15 / 03 / 1950
- Lions Tours1899
- International CapsLions
- Lions Origin ClubsBarbarians, Lancashire, Manchester
George Cookson played all four Test matches against Australia on the 1899 Tour Down Under, as The British & Irish Lions emerged 3-1 series victors.
Playing his club rugby for Manchester, Cookson was never selected for England but he did play at county level for Lancashire and earned a North of England cap in 1898.
He played 18 of the 20 Tour matches for the Lions in the centres, but after a loss in the first test, his initial partner – and team captain – Matthew Mullineux, dropped himself to bring in Charlie Adamson from three-quarters instead.
The Lions went on to win the remaining Tests, and on his return to the UK, Cookson was invited to join the touring Barbarians.