Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

Itoje named captain as England squad announced

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Twickenham Stadium. Photo by Josh Green.
Twickenham Stadium. Photo by Josh Green.

Maro Itoje has been selected to replace Jamie George as England captain ahead of this year’s Six Nations campaign.

Itoje, who has 88 caps for England and has previously captained the Under 18’s and Under 20’s, takes the role in favour of his Saracens teammate George, who has been named as joined vice-captain alongside Ellis Genge.

Harlequins’ duo Oscar Beard and Cadan Murley are the two uncapped players in Steve Borthwick’s 36-man squad.

England will be without key names, including Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Bath’s Sam Underhill and Northampton’s George Furbank.

George Ford is back after missing the Autumn Nations Series due to a torn quad.

The return of Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell means Ben Spencer has been left out of the squad, as well as 118 cap veteran Dan Cole, who has been left out in favour of Sale Sharks’ Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

Saracens number eight Tom Willis and Bath flanker Ted Hill are also included, after having standout seasons in the Premiership.

The Red Roses begin their 2025 Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on the 1st of February.

 

England squad for the 2025 Six Nations;

Loosehead props: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)

Hookers: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens)

Tight head props: Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Will Stewart (Bath Rugby)

Second row: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester Tigers)

Back row: Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), Tom Willis (Saracens)

Scrum halves: Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

Fly halves: George Ford (Sale Sharks), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Saracens)

Centres: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Wingers: Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)

Fullbacks: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Freddie Stewart (Leicester Tigers)