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5 days ago

Six Nations LIVE: England make massive captaincy call as Steve Borthwick’s squad revealed

Maro Itoje has been appointed skipper, supplanting Saracens teammate Jamie George in the role

Harry Latham-Coyle
at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Tuesday 14 January 2025 11:40 GMT
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Maro Itoje will captain England in the upcoming Six Nations
Maro Itoje will captain England in the upcoming Six Nations (Mike Egerton/PA)

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England have made made a huge captaincy call ahead of a a crucial Six Nations with head coach Steve Borthwick appointing Maro Itoje as captain. The Saracens lock, long one of his nation’s most consistent performers, takes the role from club colleague Jamie George to begin a new era for the side.

After a disappointing autumn to conclude an up-and-down 2024, Borthwick is a man under pressure as he prepares to take charge of his third Six Nations campaign. It’s a demanding start for England, too, with Ireland in Dublin on the opening weekend followed by France back on home soil a week later to open the tournament. A 36-man squad has been named today with standout Premiership performers including Tom Willis of Saracens earning inclusion.

While a relatively settled squad is , flanker Sam Underhill and wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso both miss out after suffering injuries. Full-back George Furbank is working his way back to fitness after a fractured arm and is also omitted, while Dan Cole’s international career appears at an end after the veteran tighthead’s dropping. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have tasked Borthwick with achieving at least four wins in a vital campaign.

Follow all of the latest from Borthwick’s squad unveiling in our live blog below:

5 days ago

Maro Itoje reacts to being named England captain

“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 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.”

Maro Itoje (right) is the new England captain
Maro Itoje (right) is the new England captain (PA Archive)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:40
5 days ago

England squad named for Six Nations

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)

Cadan Murley has been included
Cadan Murley has been included (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:35
5 days ago

England squad for Six Nations revealed

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)

Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:33
5 days ago

Maro Itoje appointed England captain ahead of Six Nations

Maro Itoje has been appointed England captain ahead of the Six Nations as Steve Borthwick makes a bold decision ahead of a vital tournament.

Itoje assumes the role of skipper from Saracens teammate Jamie George, who took the reins after the 2023 World Cup.

Long considered a future captain of his country even amid significant debate over his leadership qualities, the lock’s appointment comes months after he was named captain of his club after the departure of Owen Farrell.

The 30-year-old will be supported by George and Ellis Genge as vice captains as England look to bounce back from a disappointing autumn which saw them win just one of four games.

While Itoje has never led an England side on to the pitch, he has regularly taken over the on-field captaincy after George’s substitution over the last 12 months. He has won 88 England caps, and played in six Tests for the British & Irish Lions.

(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:30
5 days ago

Squad on the way...

Just five minutes now until Steve Borthwick confirms his squad. Brace yourselves...

Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:25
5 days ago

Joe Marler reveals new role with England after retirement

Joe Marler will not be included today after his retirement from international rugby during the autumn, which was quickly followed by the prop bowing out of Harlequins colours. But the 34-year-old does have an important new role, he revealed this week, with the former loosehead appointed to lead on player welfare discussions between the RFU, clubs and players.

Marler was a key part of the breakaway Team England Rugby (TER) group formed last year after the England squad split with the Rugby Players Association (RPA), and will now lead discussions with the Premiership clubs over the welfare of national team players.

“The boys needed to be looked after for a long period of time,” Marler said on the For the Love of Rugby podcast. “We weren’t looked after with our previous representation. So we went, right, we’re setting this Team England Rugby up. We’re moving away from the previous representation. And we are going to take control of it.

“We predicted that there would have to be so many exemptions from the start, especially for the top players who are playing for England and are consistently getting into the playoff positions with their clubs, whether it’s in Europe or the Prem. They’re definitely going to go over the limit. Can we stop them playing pre-season games? Give them a longer rest? Stop them being involved in the first two or three [Premiership games]?

“It sounds posh and official, but it’s basically having the backs of the England rugby team, doing a lot of the admin work, conversations between DoRs, clubs and RFU to make sure they feel supported in decisions around operations, welfare if there are injuries, that they’re being consulted on things and it’s been done in the right way.”

(PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:15
5 days ago

Ben Earl: ‘It is time for England to start delivering some results’

Ben Earl has admitted that it is time for England to start delivering results after a frustrating 2024 that included just five wins.

Steve Borthwick’s side lost seven of their 12 games across the calendar year, with a series of close defeats in a five-match losing streak leaving them to rue their missed opportunities.

Included within that run were final-minute losses to New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham as George Ford’s missed drop goal and Maro Itoje’s spilled restart proved costly.

Earl, who started every game last year at number eight, is nonetheless encouraged by the progress England are making.

But the 26-year-old admits that positive performances only count for so much if wins do not follow.

Ben Earl: ‘It is time for England to start delivering some results’

England won just five of 12 games in 2024 but number eight Earl believes that tough experiences will stand them in good stead going forward

Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 11:00
5 days ago

How does back three selection shake out?

With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso set to undergo shoulder surgery, and George Furbank a doubt after fracturing his arm, Steve Borthwick has plenty to consider in the back three. Bath’s Will Muir and Gabriel Ibitoye, two potential call ups, have also been dealing with recent injuries, muddying the picture somewhat.

Tommy Freeman, Tom Roebuck, Ollie Sleightholme and Freddie Steward feel nailed on, while Elliot Daly’s versatility may count in his favour. Will there be a wildcard or two?

Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 10:45
5 days ago

England mull captaincy change

Some interesting chatter emerging this morning of Steve Borthwick mulling a captaincy change. The Daily Mail report that Maro Itoje could be appointed skipper in Jamie George’s stead - it would be a bold call ahead of a vital tournament...

(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 10:42
5 days ago

Could Tom Willis be set for England return after eye-catching form?

Tom Willis appears set for inclusion in Steve Borthwick’s squad this morning after a brilliant season so far at number eight for Saracens. Capped ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Willis featured for England A during the autumn but looks likely to return to the full set-up to bolster Borthwick’s options at the base of the scrum.

“I can’t remember a match this year where he [Willis] hasn’t been outstanding.” Saracens coach Mark McCall said recently. “He just needs to keep on doing what he’s doing. If he keeps putting in performances like this, I think he will get rewarded in the end [by England].

“He leads by example: by getting over the gain line, by breaking tackles and making tackles – all the things that you want your number eight to be able to do. He has been a focal point [for the team] all year.

“He’s very curious and he wants to get better. He wants to be playing for England and he’s willing to do anything that he has to, to make that happen. He’s a great guy to have around the team.”

(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle14 January 2025 10:30

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