Six Nations LIVE: England and Ireland announce squads and new captains ahead of tournament
Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell revealed their squads after the drama surrounding Wales and Louis Rees-Zammit’s stunning move to quit rugby for the NFL
The countdown to the 2024 edition of the Six Nations continued after the shock news that Wales have lost star Louis Rees-Zammit as he pursues a career in the NFL.
Earlier in the day, England named their squad, with Jamie George replacing Owen Farrell as captain after the fly half took a break from international rugby to prioritise his mental wellbeing. Borthwick’s selection for the tournament includes a number of eye-catching potential debutants, including Exeter pair Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots.
Then it was the turn of Ireland, with Andy Farrell selecting Peter O’Mahony as his new captain to replace the retiring Johnny Sexton. Head coach Farrell’s 34-man selection does not include any uncapped players. However, there are recalls for Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Jordan Larmour, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, and Munster wing Calvin Nash.
Follow all the reaction to both squad announcements below:
Meet the debutants: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Perhaps one of the most exciting new names in England’s squad is Exter Chiefs’ Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The Cardiff-born winger has turned down the opportunity to play for Wales and looks set to commit himself to England. The 21-year-old moved to Exeter after Wasps went into administration and should add plenty of power to England’s backs.
Speaking at his press conference earlier, Bortwhick said of the youngster: “He’s impressed us not just on the pitch - we can all see the power and speed that he brings - but he’s a really mature guy. I get a real sense of maturity from him and I’m excited by this step.
“When I rang him yesterday I could sense that excitement and buzz down the phone. He was thrilled and that gave me a real energy and a buzz too.”
Meet the debutants: Fraser Dingwall
Another centre that can help replace the loss of Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant is Fraser Dingwall. The Northampton Saints man has been around England training squads in the past but gets his first official call-up ahead of this Six Nations.
Dingwall won Premiership Player of the Month in February last year and was named Saints Supporters’ Player of the Season last year.
Meet the debutants: Oscar Beard
Moving into the backs and the first new name is Oscar Beard. The Harlequins back will over the England team with plenty of versatility. Beard has predominantly played in the centres for Quins this season but could be deployed out wide if need be.
His inclusion comes off the back of several players unavailable for selection due to injury and moves abroad.
Meet the debutants: Ethan Roots
Next up is Ethan Roots, another back rower who has impressed at Exeter as part of Rob Baxter’s youthful side. The 26-year-old was born in New Zealand but qualifies through his Reading-born father.
Utilised as a flanker, Roots has caught the eye of Steve Borthwick since his move to Sandy Park from Ulster last summer and is a combative and willing runner who will hope to add some dynamism to England’s new-look pack.
Meet the debutants: Chandler Cunningham-South
So, let’s begin to dive into some of the new names in this England squad. First up is Chandler Cunningham-South, the Harlequins back-rower and former England U-20 star.
The youngster hails from New Zealand and made the move to Quins after London Irish entered administration. He has played for England in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship for the past two years but now makes the step up to the senior side after an impressive start to the season.
Known for his all-round game, Cunningham-South will be hoping to fill the void left by Courtney Lawes who retired after last summer’s World Cup.
England squad in full
If you are just joining us, here is a look at the full squad list:
Forwards:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Backs:
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)
Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Tuilagi and Marti included on rehabilitation list
Alongside their squad, England have named a “rehabilitation list”, made up of six players who could come into the squad if they regain fitness as the tournament goes along. The names are:
George Martin, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Raffi Quirke and Jack van Poortvliet
Jamie George to lead England as Six Nations squad revealed
Jamie George will captain England in the 2024 Six Nations with the hooker confirmed to lead a 36-player squad named by Steve Borthwick ahead of the tournament.
George replaces Saracens teammate Owen Farrell in the role, with the fly half taking a break from international rugby to prioritise his mental wellbeing.
Borthwick’s selection for the tournament includes a number of eye-catching potential debutants, including Exeter pair Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots.
Wing Feyi-Waboso also qualifies for Wales but has opted to join up with England after a breakthrough season for his club, while New Zealand-born back rower Roots is eligible through an English father and has similarly impressed in a resurgent Chiefs side.
In case you missed it, here’s the main news from England’s men’s Six Nations squad announcement:
Jamie George to lead England as Six Nations squad revealed
Steve Borthwick has named seven uncapped players in a 36-man squad
Steve Borthwick speaks live
On the development of the playing style: “The need to evolve and move forward is constantly there, but we have to make sure the foundations are strong. We made progress in that regard last year and around half of the players in the World Cup squad are in this squad, we have a real good mix. I’m really excited about bringing that mix of players together.”
Steve Borthwick speaks live
On captain Jamie George and his decision to stay with Saracens: “It’s a real positive step and a real good sign that English rugby, while still a way to go, has turned a corner. There’s a positive nature in English rugby from what we’ve seen so far this season. For him to commit to his future - the captain of England - is an important step.”
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