Maro Itoje replaced as England captain by the 'obvious choice'

In 2023, Grayson made the move to Japan, joining Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan Rugby League One. His international ambitions remain on hold, but he continues to develop his game in a new environment while playing an important role for his new club.

However, Steve Borthwick’s plans have been complicated by the absence of several key players—most notably skipper Maro Itoje.

Having replaced Jamie George as England captain ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, Itoje will be unavailable this summer due to Lions duties.

Maro will captain the British & Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia, starting with their clash against Argentina on Friday, before resuming his role as England captain in the Autumn.

In his absence, however, Borthwick faces a key decision: who will lead England in the meantime?

With the Autumn Nations Series just months away, Borthwick may choose to rest additional senior players, opening the door for younger talent to gain experience.

The summer tour now presents a valuable opportunity for uncapped players to break into the Test setup—and for a new temporary leader to emerge.

Itoje’s absence puts several experienced names in the frame to wear the armband. Among the leading contenders:

1. Jamie George – Having previously captained England, George is a natural option to step back into the role. His leadership during the Six Nations was well-regarded, and he brings stability to a potentially youthful squad.

2. George Ford – A tactical general at fly-half, Ford remains RUCK’s top pick for the job. His composure, leadership, and game management make him the obvious choice to guide a fresh-faced England side through a challenging tour.

3. Henry Slade – Consistent, versatile, and respected in the dressing room, Slade could also be in contention to take on more responsibility.

With several big names likely to sit out the summer action, expect a reshaped England squad packed with new faces—and a temporary captain ready to rise to the challenge.

Among them were six British and Irish youngsters, hyped as the future of the game — destined for Lions stardom.

Fast forward to 2025, and just one has made it into Andy Farrell’s Lions squad. RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.

So... what happened to the rest? We’ve taken a look back at McGeechan’s picks to see who rose, who stalled, and who vanished from the spotlight.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Smith was praised for his calmness under pressure, a hallmark of great players. A rapid rise from school rugby to Harlequins, he was seen as a future England star despite not yet being capped.

What happened next:
Marcus Smith burst onto the international scene in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. A standout for both England and Harlequins, he lit up the Premiership with his electric performances, playing a pivotal role in Quins’ unforgettable title run.

That same year, he earned a shock Lions call-up — and made his mark. While competition at fly-half has intensified with George Ford’s resurgence, Smith’s flair and creativity keep him firmly in the mix. Notably, he’s the only player on this list named in the 2025 Lions squad.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Doris was identified as a special talent, standing out for his ball-carrying and physicality at Leinster. McGeechan expected him to win many Ireland caps.

What happened next:
Caelan Doris has rapidly become one of the most influential players in Irish rugby. A standout performer during Ireland’s 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, the Leinster star has gone from strength to strength.

Regarded as one of the finest No. 8s on the planet, his consistency and leadership saw him tipped as a frontrunner to lead the British & Irish Lions in 2025. However, cruelly, injury has dashed those hopes — for now.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Simmonds was seen as an excellent fly-half with impressive game management and kicking skills. He was close to an international call-up.

What happened next:
Despite captaining Exeter Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, Simmonds never fully broke into the England setup, with stiff competition from the likes of Marcus Smith and George Ford. He has since moved to Pau in The Top 14.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Destined to play for England, Redpath was seen as a rangy, skilled centre with a bright future.

What happened next:
Redpath chose to represent Scotland and made an instant impact in his debut during Scotland’s famous win against England in the 2021 Six Nations. Injuries have hampered his progress, but he remains a player with significant potential for both Bath and Scotland.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
A promising young scrum-half, Dobie had George Horne and Ali Price ahead of him in the Scotland pecking order.

What happened next:
Dobie has continued to develop but remains behind Price and Horne in the Scotland setup. He has made strides at Glasgow Warriors and earned a few Scotland caps. Dobie’s time could still come, but patience will be key as he continues to evolve as a player.

McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
The son of Paul Grayson, James was seen as a clever tactical fly-half with good mentorship at Northampton Saints.