Maro Itoje has changed Jamie George as England captain forward of their upcoming Six Nations marketing campaign.
As Steve Borthwick on Tuesday revealed a 36-man coaching squad for his aspect’s match opener away to Eire on February 1, the top coach dropped the bombshell that Itoje will substitute fellow Saracens ahead George as skipper.
The 30-year-old second row, who was additionally named Saracens captain in August final 12 months, turns into the 136th participant to carry the everlasting place, with George sustaining a management position as certainly one of two vice-captains alongside Ellis Genge.
“With 88 England caps, Maro has been a central figure in this squad for many years, bringing a vast amount of experience both on and off the field,” Borthwick stated.
“He is a relaxed, influential chief, famend for his dedication to upholding excessive requirements and his capability to encourage these round him.
“His sturdy rapport with the squad and coaches, mixed together with his management expertise at Saracens, makes him ideally positioned to tackle this accountability.
“I’d like to recognise the outstanding leadership of Jamie George, whose contributions as captain have been significant and will continue to play an important role as a vice-captain.”
Itoje added: “I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been asked by Steve to be England captain. It’s a truly incredible privilege for both me and my family, and I feel grateful to have been given this opportunity.
“With the position comes a substantial amount of accountability, however I am at a degree in my profession the place I really feel prepared to present my all to serve the group and the followers with the captaincy, and likewise produce my greatest on the sector.
“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’m excited by the squad of gamers we have now, who’re all hungry for fulfillment, and I look ahead to main them out for the forthcoming Six Nations.”
Borthwick calls up uncapped Harlequins duo
Oscar Beard has impressed for Harlequins at centre this season
Borthwick has named uncapped Harlequins duo Oscar Beard and Cadan Murley within the group he’ll work with at Pennyhill Park and likewise in Girona, Spain forward of his aspect’s marketing campaign.
Beard, a 23-year-old centre, beat out competitors from Bathtub’s Max Ojomoh for a spot within the squad, having impressed for England A towards Australia A in November.
Murley, who has impressed on the wing for Quins, is rewarded with a full call-up after scoring two tries for England A in that very same fixture.
Cadan Murley scored two tries for England A towards Australia A in November
England are lacking wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and full again George Furbank, who’re persevering with their rehabilitation from harm with the nationwide aspect’s medical group.
Alex Mitchell makes an anticipated return after harm, with Harry Randall and Jack van Poortvliet chosen as the opposite scrum-half choices.
Saracens ahead Tom Willis, who additionally featured for England A in November, earns a recall as he seeks to construct on a sole England cap earned in 2023.
Tom Willis shall be looking for so as to add to his one earlier England cap
England misplaced 5 Assessments in a row – spanning a two-Take a look at tour of New Zealand final summer time and Autumn internationals towards the All Blacks, in addition to Australia and South Africa – earlier than getting again to profitable methods of their final run-out towards Japan.
Borthwick added: “I’ve selected a squad where every player brings something unique to the group.
“The Six Nations is all the time a fiercely contested and thrilling match, and this 12 months shall be no exception.
“We’re looking forward to the squad coming together in Girona to kick off our preparations for the opening challenge against Ireland in Dublin.”
England coaching squad
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bathtub), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bathtub), Tom Willis (Saracens).
Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bathtub), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Six Nations 2025 fixtures: England
- February 1: Eire (a)
- February 8: France (h)
- February 22: Scotland (h)
- March 9: Italy (h)
- March 15: Wales (a)
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