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.

But Borthwick has opted to replace George with Saracens team-mate Itoje amid mounting speculation over the hooker’s place in England’s starting XV for next month’s Six Natio

Maro Itoje replaces Jamie George as England captain for Six Nations - George has been in charge since the 2023 World Cup but is demoted to vice-skipper alongside Ellis Genge.