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:
Seven uncapped players
We’ll dig into them all a bit later on, but here’s the list of uncapped players who are in line for their debuts in this year’s Six Nations:
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs)
Oscar Beard (Harlequins)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Jamie George confirmed as captain
On being given the captain, 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.”
Jamie George confirmed as captain
It’s not a surprise by any stretch but there’s also confirmation that Jamie George will indeed replace Owen Farrell as captain for this tournament:
“Jamie has been a respected leader in this group for a number of years now,” Borthwick said.
“With 85 England caps to his name, he is a quietly influential character who has an excellent tactical understanding and who sets high standards, whilst building strong relationships with the people around him.
This, together with his previous experiences of captaining Saracens and The British & Irish Lions, leave him well-placed to lead the team.”
Borthwick on the England squad
We’ll hear from the England head coach more in the next twenty minutes or so but here are some of his early thoughts on the squad that accompanied the announcement:
“Building on the foundations of what the England Team achieved in the Rugby World Cup, I have selected a squad that provides strong continuity and experience, whilst at the same time providing an opportunity to develop the talent of a number of new and less experienced players,” said Borthwick.
“I would particularly like to congratulate the new faces who have their first chance in an England squad, 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.
“The Six Nations is a tremendously entertaining and hugely competitive competition. This year will be no different, and as we prepare for the challenge which awaits us against Italy in Rome, this squad will come together next week for a training camp in Girona.”
England squad in full
So here’s the full squad listed out:
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)
Steve Borthwick names seven uncapped players in Six Nations squad
This looks a well-balanced squad named by Steve Borthwick, who will see this Six Nations as a real opportunity for England with a number of other nations in flux. Jamie George is a smart, sensible selection as captain in Owen Farrell’s absence - the hooker is an excellent communicator on and off the field who has been a key leader for many years. He is, even with Luke Cowan-Dickie’s return, a certain starter.
Elsewhere, Borthwick has retained a number of senior heads, with Joe Marler, Danny Care and Dan Cole ensuring continuity from the World Cup group and a bit of veteran nous. Still, there are plenty of looks to the future - take Chandler Cunningham-South’s inclusion ahead of Billy Vunipola, or the call-up for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, so impressive for Exeter this season and perhaps now kept out of Welsh hands.
Recalls for Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade and Ben Spencer are richly deserved, too.
England squad confirmed
And here it is - England’s men’s Six Nations squad is announced:
England’s fixtures
A reminder of how England’s fixtures look for the Six Nations:
Round 1: Italy vs England (Stadio Olimpico, Rome) - Saturday 3 February, 2.15pm GMT
Round 2: England vs Wales (Twickenham, London) - Saturday 10 February, 4.45pm GMT
Round 3: Scotland vs England (Murrayfield, Edinburgh) - Saturday 24 February, 4.45pm GMT
Round 4: England vs Ireland (Twickenham, London) - Saturday 9 March, 4.45pm GMT
Round 5: France vs England (Groupama Stadium, Lyon) - Saturday 16 March, 8pm GMT
Other notable retirees
Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs and Jonny May are another three who announced their retirement from England duty in the wake of last year’s World Cup. Lawes, in particular, will be a huge miss given his continued excellent form for Northampton Saints this season.
England prop Mako Vunipola retires from international rugby ahead of Six Nations
One player who we know won’t be in England’s squad today is prop Mako Vunipola after he announced his international retirement ahead of the Six Nations.
Loosehead Vunipola last featured in an England shirt against Ireland last March, and missed the World Cup after suffering a back injury.
His prospects of a return were boosted with all three of Borthwick’s World Cup looseheads currently injured, though Ellis Genge could be fit for England’s opener against Italy in Rome.
And any chance of a recall has been ruled out by the 32-year-old Vunipola, who has confirmed that he will be stepping away from international rugby.
Mako Vunipola retires from England duty ahead of Six Nations
Vunipola toured three times with the British and Irish Lions and was an England regular for more than a decade
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