by Steve Borthwick is giving up more on Owen Farrell as he joins a growing number of players heading to France but believes England rugby has “turned a corner” after revealing Jamie George as a new captain.
Borthwick revealed that he had spoken to Farrell – who has been strongly linked with a move to Racing 92 – the day before announcing his 36-man squad for the Six Nations and confirming George as his successor as captain. The 33-year-old hurler is understood to have been close to a move to the Top 14 towards the end of last year but signed a new two-year deal at Saracens and on Wednesday became the first player to be publicly announced to have he was offered an “improved” contract by the Rugby Football Union.
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George, who is captain on a permanent basis, is joined by seven new faces in the squad – including Exeter pair Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots – and gentlemen Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola, both of whom was linked with a move abroad at the end of the season, the notable omissions are there.
While Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Ben Youngs and Mako Vunipola have retired, Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, David Ribbans and Joe Marchant are unavailable after moving to France – forcing Borthwick to undertake an overhaul squad at the start of the new World Cup series. .
Such an exodus led former captain Will Carling to deliver a damning indictment on English rugby last week, suggesting that playing for Borthwick’s side was not the “pinnacle” of their careers. players and want further structural reform. As George committed his future to England, however, Borthwick painted a more rosy picture.
“I think it’s a really positive step,” he said. “And I think it’s a good sign that English rugby could turn a corner even though there’s still a way to go. I think you’ve all seen that in terms of the positive nature of English rugby, in terms of what we’ve seen so far this season. It is an important step for the England captain to commit his future to English rugby.
“I spoke to Owen yesterday and I think what’s important is that Owen makes the decision that suits Owen and his family. Will a player of Owen’s caliber be lost if he chooses to play outside of England? Yes of course. Do I want him to come back at some point in the future? Yes. But I also want him to do what’s right for him and his family and have the experiences and memories he wants.”
Addressing the potential departure of Sinckler and Vunipola, Borthwick said: “My views are threefold. One is that we have a system here that makes the players want to play their rugby in this country so players don’t want to leave. Two, to respect that players have decisions to make and that their careers are not long – so even though we have a system in place that makes sure they want to stay here, we will respect those decisions. Three, be really aware and plan for the ‘what if’ situations. Who is next? How can we get them through as quickly as we can?”
George took over the captaincy after Farrell made himself unavailable, Lawes retired and Tom Curry was ruled out for the season through injury. Ellis Genge was also considered a contender but has been struggling with a hamstring injury which could rule him out of England’s Six Nations final against Italy on February 3.
George, however, is a popular member of the squad and a safe pair of hands for the job. Borthwick also revealed that an exercise he called “network analysis”, brainstormed by Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, played a role in the decision to appoint George, suggesting he could even continue in the role until the 2027 World Cup. . . .
Forward: Ollie Chessum (Leicester, 18 caps) Dan Cole (Leicester, 107 caps) Alex Coles (Northampton, 3 caps) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale, 41 caps) Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, unlimited) Ben Curry (Sale, 5 caps) Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps) Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps) Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps) Ellis Genge (Bristol, 58 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps, captain) Joe Heyes (Leicester, 7 caps) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps) Beno Obano (Bath, 3 caps) Tom Pearson (Northampton, 1 cap) Ethan roots (Exeter, unlimited) Will Stewart (Bath, 33 caps) Sam Underhill (Bath, 30 caps).
Drums: Oscar Beard (Harlequins, unlimited) Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps) Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps) Fraser Dingwall (Northampton, unlimited) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter, unlimited) George Ford (Sale, 91 caps) Tommy Freeman (Northampton, 3 caps) George Furbank (Northampton, 6 caps) Ollie Lawrence (Bath, 21 caps) Alex Mitchell (Northampton, 11 caps) Tom Roebuck (Sell, unlimited) Henry Slade (Exeter, 57 caps) Fin Smith (Northampton, unlimited) Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps) Ben Spencer (Bath, 4 caps) Freddie Steward (Leicester, 31 caps).
Rehabilitation: George Martin (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sell), Anthony Watson (Leicester), Raffi Quirke (Sell), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
“I think he’s a great people person,” Borthwick said. “He has a positive nature. A smile is always very close to the way it is. And I want to bring all of that into this role as captain. I didn’t put any time on this. If players are smart and take care of themselves well – and the improved [elite player squad] It will be important in this – you can see players playing later.”
Borthwick is optimistic about Genge’s availability to face Italy and is equally bullish about the prospects of Joe Marler, who has a biceps injury. However, he has lost George Martin – so impressive in England’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa – to a knee injury.
