BRITISH and Irish Lions star Luke Cowan-Dickie was stretchered off in a neck brace in the first half of the Lions' clash with the AUNZ Invitational side. Cowan-Dickie needed medical assistance and the game was briefly suspended after a low tackle saw him take a knee to the head. The Lions held a firm 17-0 lead when the 32-year-old took the blow to the head, seeing him fall to the ground and fail to get back to his feet. The Sale hooker was left on the turf and needed medical assistance before being transferred to a stretcher, placed in a neck brace and driven off the pitch on a cart. Current HIA protocols now mean that head coach Andy Farrell may not be able to select Cowan-Dickie for next week's opening test against Australia. A simple concussion must now be followed by a "graduated return to play" process, with a minimum stand-down period of 12 days. Ronan Kelleher was the man who replaced Cowan-Dickie before the half-time break. Farrell, his team and the fans were handed a positive sign when Cowan-Dickie raised his hand to wave to the crowd as he was being taken off the pitch. While he was later seen on his feet walking around to the tunnel when the second half was about to begin. Reports have claimed that the 49-time England international was knocked out cold by the collision. Should his injury lead to additional cover being needed then it's likely that Dewi Lake and Jamie George would be under consideration for a recall to the squad. Former Lions star Dan Biggar said on Sky Sports: "It's a head injury so we hope first and foremost that Luke Cowan-Dickie is ok. "But seven days out from the first Test, this is really worrying for Andy Farrell and his coaches." MORE TO FOLLOW... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.