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.

But Borthwick has opted to replace George with Saracens team-mate Itoje amid mounting speculation over the hooker’s place in England’s starting XV for next month’s Six Natio

Maro Itoje has been promoted to England captain for the Six Nations, replacing Saracens team-mate Jamie George in the role. Itoje, 30, led England to an age-grade world title in 2014 but only stepped up to skipper Saracens this season in the wake of Owen ...

Maro Itoje replaces Jamie George as England captain for Six Nations campaign - Saracens hooker demoted to vice skipper alongside Ellis Genge

England coach Steve Borthwick has made lock Maro Itoje his new captain in place of Jamie George, though the hooker was still included in the 36-man training squad he named for the Six Nations on Tuesday.

Steve Borthwick has handed Saracens lock Maro Itoje the England captaincy ahead of the Six Nations, with Jamie George demoted to vice-captain. Itoje has impressed in the role as Saracens skipper this season and will become the 136th man to captain the national side.

England will be captained by Maro Itoje into the 2025 men's Six Nations but there is no place in the 36-player squad for Dan Cole or Ben Spencer.