Jamie George was a brilliant England captain and doesn't need the title to lead, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

England coach Steve Borthwick sprung a surprise when naming his Six Nations squad on Tuesday when he made lock Maro Itoje his new captain in place of Jamie George, though the hooker was still included in the 36-man training group.

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.

England hooker Jamie George had no idea he would be stripped of the captaincy for his country until the day before Steve Borthwick named his Six Nations squad. George captained England in all 12 of their Test matches last year but will be replaced as skipper by his Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje during the Six Nations.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has decided to strip Jamie George of the captaincy ahead of the Six Nations, handing over control to his Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje

Saracens lock Maro Itoje has been named as England captain for the upcoming Six Nations, with Jamie George demoted to vice-captain alongside Ellis Genge.

England head coach Steve Borthwick explains why he chose Maro Itoje to replace Jamie George as captain for the Six Nations this spring. George has been in charge since the 2023 World Cup but is demoted to vice-skipper alongside Ellis Genge,

Twickenham: England coach Steve Borthwick said having a captain who could last the whole match had been a factor in his decision to appoint Maro Itoje as skipper for the Six Nations in place of Jamie George.