Maro Itoje will captain England for the Guinness Six Nations in a surprise leadership overhaul by head coach Steve Borthwick.
Jamie George has been in charge since the 2023 World Cup but, after a disappointing year in which England won only five of their 12 Tests, he has been replaced by his Saracens team-mate.
It is the first time Itoje has been give the role, although he took over from George when the hooker was substituted in games, and the 30-year-old lock continues his rise as a leader having been installed as Saracens skipper at the start of the season.
“Maro’s a world-class player who has the respect of everybody so I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to appoint Maro as captain,” Borthwick said.
“When you’re making a decision like that, there’s always a number of factors to consider – where the team’s at and what you feel it needs in this next spell.”
Borthwick’s predecessor as England boss Eddie Jones doubted Itoje would ever be captain, describing him as…
