Borthwick backs ‘world-class’ Itoje as England captain after stripping George
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Maro Itoje will lead England into the Six Nations after Steve Borthwick made the radical decision to ditch Jamie George as captain and promote the second row before a campaign that promises to make or break the head coach’s tenure. Borthwick said George was “disappointed” to lose the captaincy after only 12 months in what he described as a challenging conversation with the hooker but explained the decision to appoint Itoje on the basis he is a “world-class player who has the respect of everybody”.
![[England’s Dan Cole holds the ball aloft]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c5084e0224df316715d7a9e5e7b4b6be3eff4ec4/0_0_3500_2101/master/3500.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The upshot is that England head into the Six Nations with a new captain for the second year in a row and Borthwick is tasked with guiding his side to four wins from five by the Rugby Football Union after a disappointing 2024 in which they lost five consecutive matches. Borthwick said there is no reason Itoje will not continue in the role until the 2027 World Cup but his own job will come under threat in the event of another lacklustre campaign which begins with daunting fixtures against Ireland in Dublin before France visit Twickenham.
Borthwick also has injury problems to contend with after confirming Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has decided to undergo a shoulder operation and will miss the championship along with Sam Underhill (ankle). Tom Willis, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his fine form for Saracens with a call-up to the 36-man squad which will be led by Itoje for the first time at next week’s warm-weather training camp in Girona.
“I spoke to Maro [on Monday] about it and when I asked him to captain the team, the smile that spread across his face could have lit up the whole of England,” said Borthwick. “He was delighted – and very humble. He will do everything he can to help serve this team and be the best leader he can. After [each] series I am always reviewing and debriefing with my coaching team and thinking through what the team needs for the next step.”.
