England head coach Steve Borthwick will be naming his squad for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations today. Borthwick has the task of selecting his new captain, following the international step-down of Owen Farrell.
Saracens hooker Jamie George has been named as captain for the upcoming tournament.
Jamie George of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
There are also numerous promising England talents eyeing up their test debut, with exciting fly half Fin Smith included in the squad. Smith is one star who was also eligible for Scotland, yet was not named in Gregor Towsend's squad announcement yesterday.
Fin Smith of Northampton Saints kicks for the posts during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Franklins Gardens, Northampton on 12 November 2023. - PHOTO: Patrick Khachfe/PPAUK
Sale Sharks wing Tom Roebuck has received his England call-up, after not being named in the Scotland squad. Northampton's Fraser Dingwall follow's this trend ahead of today's announcement, yet Sale wing Arron Reed, did nail his colours to the tartan mast, after being named by Townsend ahead of a potential England inclusion.
Also, Warren Gatland named his Wales squad yesterday, which included the shocking exclusion of wing Louis Rees-Zammit. It had been confirmed just a matter of hours before Gatland announced his squad, that Rees-Zammit had agreed a move to join the NFL, in pursuit of a career in American Football.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 19th Nov 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Exciting Exeter Chiefs wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been included in the England squad, after being 'name-checked' by Borthwick as an talent to look out for. Feyi-Waboso is Cardiff born, and was has previously been eligible to play for Wales before he joined Wasps in 2022.
Steve Borthwick named his squad this morning (10:00). Follow live for all the updates from Twickenham Stadium.
Steve Borthwick's added the following in his squad announcement:
"Building on the foundations of what the England team achieved in the Rugby World Cup, I have selected a squad that provides strong continuity and experience, whilst at the same time providing an opportunity to develop the talent of a number of new and less experienced players."
"I would particularly like to congratulate the new faces who have their first chance in an England squad, and very much look forward to seeing how that young talent can play an important part in ensuring that England continue to develop our game and move forward."
ENGLAND'S SQUAD FOR THE 2024 SIX NATIONS
JAMIE GEORGE NAMED CAPTAIN
Saracens hooker Jamie George has been named as England captain for the 2024 Six Nations. This will be George's first time captaining England, having previously captained Saracens and the British & Irish Lions.
On picking Jamie George as captain Steve Borthwick added:
"Jamie has been a respected leader in this group for a number of years now. With 85 England caps to his name, he is a quietly influential character who has an excellent technical understanding and sets high standards, whilst building strong relationships with the people around him. This, together with his previous experience of captaining the British & Irish Lions, leave him well placed to lead the team."
"He is an outstanding player, one of the best set-piece hookers in the world and has an outstanding work rate."
Jamie George voiced his gratitude of being bestowed the honour of England captain.
“Last week Steve asked me to be captain for the upcoming Six Nations and I accepted with huge gratitude and enthusiasm.
“I love playing rugby for England. I hope that everyone has seen how much it means to me, I have never shied away from that. I am so excited about where this team can go and bringing the fans on that journey with us is something that I care about deeply.
Jamie George of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
“I believe I’m at the stage of my career where I can give my all to the captaincy and give my best on the pitch.
“I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead. Owen is a fantastic motivator and tactician, and we will undoubtedly miss his leadership. But I have got brilliant people around me, many of whom have won major tournaments, and utilising the great experience we have within the group is going to be crucial.
FORWARDS
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
Chandler Cunningham-South
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Theo Dan (Saracens)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Ben Earl of England chases a kick forward during the Summer Nations Series Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 12 Aug 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Joe Marler of England warming up during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
BACKS
Elliot Daly of England evades the welsh defence during the Summer Nations Series Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 12 Aug 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Oscar Beard (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
George Ford (Sale Sharks)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
Tommy Freeman of England during the Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on 19 June 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
REHABILITATION
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
Jack Van Portvliet (Leicester Tigers)
BILLY VUNIPOLA AND KYLE SINCKLER LEFT OUT
Kyle Sinckler of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 10 September. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
There have been some notable exclusions from Steve Borthwick's squad list, with two experienced forwards not making the grade.
Bristol Bears tight-head prop Kyle Sinckler is left out of the squad, with speculation around a potential injury. Saracens back-row Billy Vunipola is ruled out of the squad, with the two players having 141 combined England caps (Vunipola 73, Sinckler 68), and were both included in Steve Borthwick's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Bristol Bears wing Max Malins and Harlequins hooker Jack Walker have also been dropped from the squad.
SEVEN UNCAPPED PLAYERS
Seven uncapped players have been called-up by Steve Borthwick, to mark this new era of England's national side. The new Rugby World Cup cycle has commenced, with these seven stars gunning for a test match debut in the upcoming Six Nations.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of Exeter Chiefs looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Franklins Gardens, Northampton on 12 November 2023. - PHOTO: Patrick Khachfe/PPAUK
1. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, wing)
2. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, back row)
3. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, back row)
4. Oscar Beard (Harlequins, wing)
Fraser Dingwall of Northampton Saints celebrates after winning during the Gallagher Premiership Match between Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints at Sandy Park on 25 September 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
5. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, centre)
6. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, wing)
7. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, fly half)
17 RETAINED FROM THE 34 WHO PLAYED AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP
There is certainly a feel of a new era around Twickenham Stadium, with only 17 retained from the players who ran out for England at the Rugby World Cup. Max Malins, Billy Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Jack Walker have not been named in the squad. Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam and Bevan Rodd have also not been named due to ongoing injuries.
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
There have been several players moving on to clubs in France following the Rugby World Cup, which has ruled them out of contention for the 2024 Six Nations. Jack Willis (Toulouse) and Henry Arundell (Racing 92) have signed contract extensions to stay in the Top 14, whilst David Ribbans (Toulon) and Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) agreed moves from the Premiership.
Owen Farrell's move to step down from the England squad writes the Saracen out of contention. He joins a crop of internationally retired players that are out of the squad through personal decisions, following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Courtney Lawes, Jonny May and Ben Youngs have all hung up their test match boots.
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