Replaced as captain by Maro Itoje before this campaign, George has added real value as a bench leader in England’s last two wins.
While having Itoje, an 80-minute man, to lead from start to finish has obvious benefits, George’s shifting to the bench has proved crucial in helping England get over the line in each of the last two weeks.
When Steve Borthwick elevated Maro Itoje to the captaincy for this campaign and beyond, the England head coach sought to underscore the continuing importance that George would have.
With both Tom Curry and Tom Willis lost prematurely to injury, Borthwick was still confident enough to bring on George and Elliot Daly early, recognising a need for calm heads and fresh energy that (just about) guided his side to a win.
While a crop of chasers prepared to put pressure on the Scotland kicker, Jamie George, no longer captain but still a vital voice in the leadership group, took charge, setting a strategy for the rest of the squad.
