Maro Itoje replaces Jamie George as England captain ahead of 2025 Six Nations
Maro Itoje has replaced Jamie George as England captain ahead of their upcoming Six Nations campaign.
As Steve Borthwick revealed a 36-man training squad for his side's tournament opener away to Ireland on February 1, the head coach dropped the bombshell that Itoje will replace fellow Saracens forward George as skipper.
The 30-year-old second row, who was also named Saracens captain in August last year, becomes the 136th player to hold the permanent position, with George maintaining a leadership role as one of two vice-captains alongside Ellis Genge.
"With 88 England caps, Maro has been a central figure in this squad for many years, bringing a vast amount of experience both on and off the field," Borthwick said.
"He's a calm, influential leader, renowned for his commitment to upholding high standards and his ability to motivate those around him.
"His strong rapport with the squad and coaches, combined with his leadership experience at Saracens, makes him ideally placed to take on this responsibility.
"I'd like to recognise the outstanding leadership of Jamie George, whose contributions as captain have been significant and will continue to play an important role as a vice-captain."
Itoje added: "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."
"There's always a number of considerations when you make a decision like this," Borthwick told Sky Sports. "Everybody sees Maro Itoje is a world-class player, an incredible professional who has the respect of everybody.
"He's somebody the players will follow. When he stands up and speaks in front of the group, they listen. Those characteristics are vital in the leadership of the team.
"Any top-quality side I've been involved in has had a density of leaders, and I sense that is what we're developing and growing with the England rugby team."
Borthwick continued: "If you asked any coach if they wanted their captain on the pitch for 80 minutes, every coach would say that is their preference.
"Maro has started 80-odd tests for England and has only come off twice, that's a testament to his individual preparation and conditioning, and the commitment he has on the pitch for England."
Borthwick has named uncapped Harlequins duo Oscar Beard and Cadan Murley in the group he will work with at Pennyhill Park and also in Girona, Spain ahead of his side's campaign.
Beard, a 23-year-old centre, beat out competition from Bath's Max Ojomoh for a place in the squad, having impressed for England A against Australia A in November.
Murley, who has impressed on the wing for Quins, is rewarded with a full call-up after scoring two tries for England A in that same fixture.
England are missing wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and full back George Furbank, who are continuing their rehabilitation from injury with the national side's medical team.
Alex Mitchell makes an expected return after injury, with Harry Randall and Jack van Poortvliet selected as the other scrum-half options, with Ben Spencer missing out.
Veteran prop Dan Cole is left out with his Leicester team-mate Joe Heyes brought into the squad alongside Sale's Asher Opoku-Fordjour as tighthead options.
Saracens number eight Tom Willis, who also featured for England A in November, earns a recall as he seeks to build on a sole England cap earned in 2023.
England lost five Tests in a row - spanning a two-Test tour of New Zealand last summer and Autumn internationals against the All Blacks, as well as Australia and South Africa - before getting back to winning ways in their last run-out against Japan.
Borthwick added: "I've selected a squad where every player brings something unique to the group. The Six Nations is always a fiercely contested and exciting tournament, and this year will be no exception.
"We're looking forward to the squad coming together in Girona to kick off our preparations for the opening challenge against Ireland in Dublin."
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens).
Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Sky Sports News reporter James Cole:
The big news from this squad announcement is that England will have a new captain for this year's Six Nations - Maro Itoje is going to replace Jamie George.
It's nothing against Jamie George's leadership. He's been an excellent leader for England in the last year. He's been doing the job, but his position in the team has come under question. Luke Cowan-Dickie, another hooker, is pushing him hard for his starting place.
And also, during the autumn, George was coming off in all four Autumn Internationals around about the 50-minute mark. So, as good a leader as Jamie George is, it's very difficult to lead from the bench, when you're on the bench for nearly half of the match.
So Itoje comes in as captain. It's an obvious choice. He's got 88 caps for England, six for the British and Irish Lions, hugely experienced.
He's also led England, not from the start of games, but he's been taking over the captaincy when George has been leaving the field in the last year. So, he's got that captaincy experience, he captains at Saracens as well.
And importantly, crucially, Itoje is a guaranteed starter in this England team. So that's the thinking, I suspect, as far as Steve Borthwick is concerned.
