George to captain England as Feyi-Waboso named in squad
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 09: Jamie George of England reacts during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Argentina at Stade Velodrome on September 09, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
Jamie George has been named England captain as Steve Borthwick handed opportunities to seven uncapped players, including Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, in his 2024 Six Nations squad.
George, 33, has yet to captain his country but has captained club Saracens in Owen Farrell’s absence on multiple occasions and skippered the British and Irish Lions to a 71-31 win against the Sharks in 2021.
With Farrell away from England duty for the foreseeable future, his typical stand-in Courtney Lawes now retired and Borthwick’s former captain at Leicester Tigers Ellis Genge still recovering from a calf problem, the England coach has entrusted one of the few players guaranteed to start against Italy in Rome on 3 February to take charge on the field.
“Last week Steve asked me to be captain for the upcoming Six Nations and I accepted with huge gratitude and enthusiasm,” George said.
“I love playing rugby for England. I hope that everyone has seen how much it means to me, I have never shied away from that.
“I am so excited about where this team can go and bringing the fans on that journey with us is something that I care about deeply. I believe I’m at the stage of my career where I can give my all to the captaincy and give my best on the pitch.
“I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead. Owen is a fantastic motivator and tactician, and we will undoubtedly miss his leadership. But I have got brilliant people around me, many of whom have won major tournaments, and utilising the great experience we have within the group is going to be crucial.”
With Lawes, Mako Vunipola, Ben Youngs and Jonny May all retiring after the Rugby World Cup, the squad has a much fresher feel to the group Borthwick took to France in 2023.
Feyi-Waboso’s name has attracted the most attention amongst the uncapped contingent, with the Exeter winger having wrestled with the idea of playing for Wales – the country he was born and raised in.
Ethan Roots, Chandler Cunningham-South, Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck, Oscar Beard and Fraser Dingwall are the other uncapped players named.
Billy Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler are absent, with Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alex Dombrandt and Ben Spencer returning after missing out on the World Cup.
“Building on the foundations of what the England team achieved in the World Cup, I have selected a squad that provides strong continuity and experience, while at the same time providing an opportunity to develop the talent of a number of new and less experienced players,” Borthwick said.
“I would particularly like to congratulate the new faces who have their first chance and very much look forward to seeing how that young talent can play an important part in ensuring that England continue to develop our game and move forward.”
England squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (c), Joe Heyes, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, Beno Obano, Tom Pearson, Ethan Roots, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.
Backs: Oscar Beard, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward.
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