Maro Itoje has taken over as England captain from his Saracens club-mate Jamie George for the Six Nations, with a call-up for the in-form No 8 Tom Willis as the headline selection.
Itoje has been talked of as captaincy material throughout his career, and he had taken over during matches when serving as a vice-captain in 2024, as well as being appointed his club’s captain this season, succeeding the departed Owen Farrell.
Now Itoje becomes England’s permanent selection as the country’s fourth black or mixed-race captain of the men’s rugby union team after Jason Robinson, Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge.
It may be a recognition of doubt over the chances of the 34-year-old George making it to the next World Cup in 2027, or it could be linked to the hooker often being substituted early in the second half of matches, and England losing shape and cohesion.
George also faces a fight for his starting place from Theo Dan and a rejuvenated Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Itoje, who captained England at Under-20 level just over a decade ago, could use this as a springboard to captain the British & Irish Lions on tour this summer.
While he is nothing like a fresh face after his 88 England caps, and at the age of 30, his relentless 80-minute commitment – the occasional yellow card notwithstanding – could give Borthwick’s team a lift in the public’s perception after the fretful 2024 of five wins in 12 Tests.
“I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been asked by Steve to be England captain,” Itoje said.
“It’s a truly incredible privilege for both me and my family, and I feel grateful to have been given this opportunity.
“With the role comes a great deal of responsibility, but I’m at a point in my career where I feel ready to give my all to serve the team and the fans with the captaincy, and also produce my best on the field.
“It’s reassuring to know there is a group of senior players to support me and help build on the achievements of Jamie, who has led the team brilliantly and who has been a great friend and leader for so many years.
“I am excited by the squad of players we have, who are all hungry for success, and I look forward to leading them out for the forthcoming Six Nations.”
Willis has been a similar driving force for Saracens this season and there was a strong argument for him to have received a second cap of his career – the first was a brief appearance preceding the 2023 World Cup – during the autumn series against Japan, at least.
Instead Willis was held back by Borthwick, as he played for England’s A team against an Australia XV in November, but now he has his chance to elbow yet another Saracen, Ben Earl, and Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt out of the role at the base of the scrum.
Anyone who wanted an infusion of youth from Borthwick has been disappointed, with the chat around possible calls to youngsters such as flanker Henry Pollock and centre Max Ojomoh not fulfilled.
Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer makes way for Alex Mitchell’s expected return as first choice after injury, as Harry Randall and Jack van Poortvliet keep their squad spots.
Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence are also still in place as the possible centres, despite only limited signs of their effectiveness together at the highest level in a run of matches in the past 12 months.
With Luke Northmore on the injured list, and Alex Lozowski not included, the possibility for change in the centres is not extensive.
The limited options in Borthwick’s squad include a move for Northampton Saints’s Tommy Freeman infield from the wing or a promotion for Northmore’s Harlequins colleague Oscar Beard, an unlikely reversion to Elliot Daly or a shift from the back three for Freddie Steward.
England’s 36-player training squad
Forwards:
Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 56 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 16 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 20 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 37 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 66 caps) – vice-captain
Jamie George (Saracens, 97 caps) – vice-captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 88 caps) – captain
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)
Tom Willis (Saracens, 1 cap)
Backs
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 69 caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 39 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
More to follow…
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The post Jamie George axed as England captain with Maro Itoje in charge for Six Nations first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-15 02:34:11
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