Jamie George to Captain England Against Wales in Six Nations Opener
Jamie George has been confirmed as the captain for England's Six Nations opener against Wales this Saturday, marking his first solo leadership role since the autumn of 2024. This decision comes after he shared the captaincy with George Ford during last summer's tour of Argentina, highlighting his regained authority within the squad.
Maro Itoje Named Among Replacements
In a notable selection move, Maro Itoje has been named on the bench for the match. Itoje missed the start of England's training camp in Girona to attend his mother's funeral in Nigeria, a personal commitment that head coach Steve Borthwick has respected in his team choices. This breaks Itoje's remarkable streak of appearing in every minute of England's matches over the last six Six Nations campaigns, with Alex Coles and Ollie Chessum stepping up to assume second-row duties against Wales.
Henry Arundell Makes First Start in Three Years
Henry Arundell has been selected for his first start in three years, taking up the left wing position. The 23-year-old last appeared for England in a victory over Fiji, where he scored a fine late try in an eye-catching cameo. Since then, Arundell has been revitalised by a move to Bath this season, following two challenging years at Racing 92, and boasts an impressive record of eight tries in 11 appearances for England.
Team Selection and Strategic Decisions
Steve Borthwick has opted for a team that blends experience with raw pace. In the backline, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso lines up on the right wing, complementing Arundell's speed to counter a Wales side likely featuring Louis Rees-Zammit. The front row sees Joe Heyes starting at tighthead prop, joining Ellis Genge and Jamie George, while the back row comprises Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl.
Alex Mitchell is at scrum-half, with the Northampton pair of Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman starting in the centres, a combination that proved successful in England's thumping win over Wales in Cardiff last year. Freddie Steward retains his position at fullback, with George Furbank overlooked despite recovering from a calf problem.
Strong Bench Featuring British & Irish Lions
Borthwick has named a remarkably strong bench, featuring five British & Irish Lions. Alongside Itoje, it includes Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Marcus Smith, and Luke Cowan-Dickie, with Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison providing cover at prop. Ben Spencer serves as the back-up scrum-half in a 6-2 split, underscoring the depth and versatility available to England.
Borthwick's Comments on the Fixture
Steve Borthwick emphasised the significance of the match, stating, "England versus Wales is always a special occasion in the rugby calendar. It's a fierce rivalry with a long history, and one that brings a huge challenge every time we meet." He added, "We expect Wales to bring a kicking game, so we'll need to be accurate in how we respond to that challenge. For us, our focus is on executing our game plan and maintaining discipline throughout the match."
The match is set to take place at a packed-out Allianz Stadium, with Borthwick highlighting the importance of home support, saying, "The support we receive at home is outstanding and always gives the players a huge lift." This fixture kicks off the Six Nations Championship, setting the tone for England's campaign as they aim to build on past successes and navigate the challenges ahead.
