Steve Borthwick made the shock decision to replace George with Saracens teammate Maro Itoje ahead of the Six Nations

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.

Jamie George was a brilliant England captain and doesn't need the title to lead, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

England hooker Jamie George had no idea he would be stripped of the captaincy for his country until the day before Steve Borthwick named his Six Nations squad. George captained England in all 12 of their Test matches last year but will be replaced as skipper by his Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje during the Six Nations.

By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) -England coach Steve Borthwick sprung a surprise when naming his Six Nations squad on Tuesday when he made lock Maro Itoje his new captain in place of Jamie George,

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.

Twickenham: England coach Steve Borthwick said having a captain who could last the whole match had been a factor in his decision to appoint Maro Itoje as skipper for the Six Nations in place of Jamie George.