Jamie George questioned whether he had an England future after being left hurt by Steve Borthwick’s decision to strip him of the captaincy on the eve of the Six Nations. George said he was blindsided by the England head coach but after receiving advice from his inner circle – including the Saracens director, Mark McCall, Owen Farrell and his family – he has set his sights on a fourth World Cup, revealing the cricketer Joe Root is his inspiration.
George was installed as captain for the 2023 Six Nations and despite a difficult run of results in his year in charge – England won five of their 12 Tests – he was a hugely popular leader, both within the squad and among supporters.
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Borthwick’s decision to turn to Maro Itoje came out of the blue, with George informed the day before England’s squad for the championship was announced. Compounding matters, the 34-year-old hooker sustained a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Champions Cup match against Castres later that week, ruling him out of England’s training camp in Girona as well as their opening loss to Ireland in Dublin.
It was during that period that George went soul-searching but, as he prepares to win his 100th England cap against Italy on Sunday, he cites the manner Root has flourished at the crease since losing the Test captaincy to Ben Stokes in 2022 as proof that deposed captains can continue to make an impact at international level.
“It was really challenging, it was really difficult,” said George, who is now a vice-captain along with Ellis Genge.“That hurt, it really did and the first thing on my mind was: ‘Is that me?’ But at the same time, I have really good people around me, speaking to my old man [Ian], my wife [Katie], you understand what is important. Some of the best times of my life have been playing rugby for England, I love playing rugby for England.
“It wasn’t a two-way conversation [with Steve], it was very one-way. I don’t think you can plead your case like a break up. I wasn’t expecting it but at the same time I understood it. Steve has always been very clear with me and very honest and I have worked with coaches before who haven’t been. I really value that with Steve and the way he did it.
“I was gutted, I was disappointed, I felt like I had a lot more to give but at the same time his decision and who he has picked in Maro, is a fantastic decision.
“When I was reflecting on it I took a bit of inspiration from Joe Root. I tried to see other sports where it has happened, has it worked in any other sports, has it worked in our sport. I saw it a little bit with Chris Robshaw post-2015.
“I look at Joe Root now and the freedom he has and the way he has kicked on and become the best batsman in the world arguably. That is hugely inspiring and I see that as the sort of trajectory I aspire to be like, the way he has reacted to it I see it as a huge positive. It has freed him up and allowed him to play even better than he already was. That is how I would love it to be and I am feeling a bit of that.”
George returned from injury ahead of schedule to win his 98th cap off the bench against France – turning in an impressive cameo with a memorable line-break – before following suit against Scotland last time out. His leadership has proved invaluable in harness with Itoje and he hopes to extend his Test career to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“The injury came at a weird time before the first game while all of it was going on,” said George, who made his first 19 England appearances off the bench. “But I was watching that Ireland game desperate to be involved.
“There were always question marks but then I knew I was desperate to go on whether it was off the bench, in any capacity, I wanted to be on the field and I wanted to be able to help. That will be the case as long as I lace my boots up, I want to be helping and contributing any way I can for England.
“I am ambitious. I want to be the best I possibly can be. I want to start the game but I’m not going to throw my toys out the pram and not give everything of myself if I’m on the bench. It’s easier to make an impact and be seen coming off the bench.
“I play best when I’m vocal and I add to the team when I take charge of huddles and Maro wants me to be able to do that. It frees Maro up a little bit if he’s got decisions to be made with the referee, he needs vice-captains and people to take charge of other people and a different perspective.
“I want to play for England as long as I can, the World Cup is definitely an ambition of mine and I would love to put my name in the hat for another Lions tour and hopefully my performances over the next couple of weeks will put my name in the conversation.”
