With a record of five wins in 12 games, Jamie George will not go down as one of England’s great captains. Few men in the professional era, however, have skippered England with more pride or sacrificed more to lead their country.

Maro Itoje has taken over from Jamie George as England’s captain ahead of this year’s Six Nations. George, 34, had been serving as Steve Borthwick’s skipper following Owen Farrell’s decision to step away from international rugby in late 2023.

England coach Steve Borthwick has made lock Maro Itoje his new captain in place of Jamie George, though the hooker was still included in the 36-man training squad he named for the Six Nations on Tuesday.