Latest news with #JamieGeorge
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Steve Borthwick reveals why Jamie George was restored to the England captaincy
Steve Borthwick has backed Jamie George 's leadership qualities after restoring him to England captaincy duties alongside George Ford. The England head coach replaced George as skipper in January of this year in favour of Maro Itoje, a decision the hooker admitted came out of the blue. However, with Itoje away on Lions duty where he will captain the touring side in Australia, Borthwick has gone back to the tried-and-tested with George set to lead the team for the game against a France XV on Saturday, working as a co-captain with Ford. Borthwick explained that the two dovetail nicely in their leadership styles and having both in the joint position was 'the right way to go'. 'He (George) is really clear from a tactical point of view. He's got a brilliant voice. He has a fantastic feel and manner with people,' said Borthwick. 'Both of them are phenomenal players and both are brilliant, experienced leaders, both at club and international level. 'Whether they've been captains or vice-captains or not, they are leaders and they are role models for the rest of the players. I decided that was the right way to go, to have two great figureheads for this team. 'This week training, they complement each other superbly well, as you'll know from their different styles and different positions they play. That then gives us a figurehead in the forwards, a figurehead in the backs, leading the team. 'I've been really pleased with how it's gone.' Ford and George come into the tour as two of the most experienced members of the squad, with a combined 200 England caps between them, having both missed out on selection for the Lions in May. George, whilst not making the 38-man squad, has clearly remained in Andy Farrell's thinking and was called up to train with the Lions out in Portugal last week due to the absence of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, both of whom were on Leinster duty in the URC Final. Now back with England, the hooker reflected with pride on his third different Lions camp, despite the initial disappointment of missing out. 'I loved it,' he said. 'Me and George [Ford] are in the same boat. I was very disappointed not to be on the tour in the first place, but to be given any opportunity to go in and show what you're about a little bit. 'It was a great opportunity for me to go out there. They're setting themselves up very nicely for a successful tour.' And with England set to fly out to Argentina, the opponents of the Lions on Friday evening in Dublin, George revealed he was keenly observing everything that was going on, partly to help when he was back with his national side. He added: 'There's a little bit more in it because they're playing Argentina tomorrow night and that's where our tour is going to be. As we were analysing in the Lions meetings, I was making sure I was making extra notes just to bring back about what I've seen. I think it's important.' There is scope for the England squad to change should the Lions come calling, with Jack van Poortvliet currently away as scrum-half cover for the side with Jamison Gibson-Park not fully fit. Borthwick remained tight-lipped about any potential return to the international fold for Owen Farrell, however, after he re-signed for Saracens this week following one season at Racing 92 in France, making him eligible for international duty once more. 'I think Owen has been very clear,' said Borthwick. 'He's happy to be home and he hasn't made any discussion around his future other than just wanting to get his family settled back in Hertfordshire. 'My focus is on these guys here.' On the timescale regarding Van Poortvliet's return, Borthwick said he is due to be back next week but admitted that date could be subject to change and that the Leicester scrum half would be fully supported if that were to be the case. 'Jack might well be at the game on Saturday afternoon, but if that changes from a Lions perspective, then we fully support Jack,' he added. 'We've also spoken very publicly that we want as many England players in that Lions squad as possible. 'There might be situations were other England players join the squad in which case we'll be delighted for our players to do that.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns as George Ford and Jamie George lead England XV against France
Return: England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will be hoping to prove that he is still worthy of a potential Lions spot this summer (Getty Images) George Ford and Jamie George will lead an England XV against France this weekend as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns from injury. The experienced duo have been named by head coach Steve Borthwick as co-captains for the game at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday afternoon. Advertisement Ford is currently on 99 international appearances for England but won't reach his century against Les Bleus as it is classed as a non-cap match, which serves as a warm-up for the two-Test tour to Argentina in July and a one-off clash against the USA in Washington. Borthwick - who will name his touring squad on Monday (June 23) - is unable to call upon some 13 players who have been selected for British and Irish Lions duty this summer, including influential captain Maro Itoje. Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly were also called up for the Lions, while Jack van Poortvliet has been training with Andy Farrell's side in the build-up to their 1888 Cup tie with Argentina in Dublin on Friday night as specialist scrum-half cover following an injury to Jamison Gibson-Park. Hooker George and tighthead prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour were also drafted in for Lions training last week, with the former returning to face France. Advertisement Ben Curry, George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall and Harry Randall are all continuing their respective injury rehabilitations with England, with the likes of Ollie Lawrence and George Martin still sidelined. The most standout England selection to face France 'A' is that of Feyi-Waboso, who will be hoping to prove that he can still be an option for the Lions this summer after recovering from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of initial contention and has prevented him from playing since December, requiring surgery. Exeter team-mate Henry Slade marshals the backline from outside centre, partnered in midfield by Gloucester's Seb Atkinson, who is one of three uncapped players in the starting XV, along with Sale full-back Joe Carpenter and Bath's influential Premiership-winning flanker Guy Pepper. Tom Roebuck lines up on the opposite flank to Feyi-Waboso, while Ford is partnered at half-back by Bath's Ben Spencer. Advertisement Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes are the props, with Alex Coles and Nick Isiekwe in the second row. Pepper is joined in the back row by Bath team-mate Ted Hill and Tom Willis. There are two more uncapped players on the bench in flanker Jack Kenningham and versatile back Oscar Beard, who are joined by fellow Harlequins stars Chandler Cunningham-South and Alex Dombrant, plus Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison and Raffi Quirke. 'We're excited to be playing at Allianz Stadium and to test ourselves against a strong French side,' said Borthwick. 'I'm really looking forward to seeing this young team get out there and show what they're capable of. 'It's a great opportunity to take another step forward ahead of the summer Tour to Argentina and the US.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
George Ford and Jamie George add experience to youthful England facing France XV
George Ford and Jamie George will co-captain a youthful England XV taking on an even more inexperienced France XV in the non-cap international at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this weekend. Fly half Ford, who is one away from bringing up the 100-cap milestone, will have to wait until Test matches against Argentina and USA this summer to reach the magic number but is tasked with providing veteran nous to a line-up that is otherwise giving an opportunity for plenty of inexperienced heads to make a statement to head coach Steve Borthwick. Advertisement With 13 England players heading Down Under for the British and Irish Lions tour, Borthwick is shorn of many of his biggest names this summer, although given the non-cap nature of Saturday afternoon's warm-up clash, the matchday 23 he has named is surprisingly strong. Even so, Ford, his 101-cap co-skipper George and outside centre Henry Slade (72 caps) are the only players in the starting XV with more than 15 international appearances. However, regular squad players such as winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is returning from injury, and props Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes will also play from the start. Full back Joe Carpenter of Sale Sharks, inside centre Seb Atkinson of Gloucester and flanker Guy Pepper, who was named man of the match in Bath's Premiership final victory over Leicester last weekend, are the three uncapped players starting, while Harlequins duo Jack Kenningham and Oscar Beard are in a similar situation on the bench. Another Premiership champion with Bath, scrum half Ben Spencer, will hope to change a dismal record that has seen him lose seven and draw one of his eight games for England, while Ted Hill and Tom Willis join Pepper in an exciting-looking back row. Ben Spencer is yet to win a match in his eight caps for England (Getty Images) Borthwick will select his squad to travel to Argentina and the US on Monday, meaning this fixture is the perfect opportunity for many fringe players to impress the head coach. Advertisement 'We're excited to be playing at Allianz Stadium and to test ourselves against a strong French side,' said Borthwick. 'I'm really looking forward to seeing this young team get out there and show what they're capable of. 'It's a great opportunity to take another step forward ahead of the summer Tour to Argentina and the US.' The RFU have made tickets available from £25 pounds – less than a third of normal Six Nations prices – in the hope of attracting thousands of first-time supporters, particularly youngsters. England XV to play France: 15. Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks), 14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) 12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), 10. George Ford (Sale Sharks) - co-captain, 9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby); 1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins), 2. Jamie George (Saracens) - co-captain, 3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), 4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), 5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), 6. Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), 7. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), 8. Tom Willis (Saracens) Replacements: 16. Theo Dan (Saracens), 17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), 18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), 19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), 20. Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), 21. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), 22. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), 23. Oscar Beard (Harlequins)
France 24
09-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Injured Scotland prop Fagerson out of Lions tour
The Glasgow Warriors tighthead will be replaced in the squad by Ireland international Finlay Bealham. The squad, minus those involved in next weekend's Premiership Rugby and United Rugby Championship finals, are due to fly to Portugal for a training camp on Tuesday. England pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour will also join the group. "It's tough on Zander to miss out so close to the tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group," said Farrell. "This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that. "But it's great to be finally at the stage where we can get onto the training ground and get to work with these players." The Lions, captained by England skipper Maro Itoje, face Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before starting their tour of Australia, which includes three Tests against the Wallabies.
The 42
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Finlay Bealham called up to Lions squad as Fagerson ruled out
FINLAY BEALHAM HAS been called up to the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, with Zandar Fagerson ruled out through injury. As reported by The 42 yesterday, the Ireland and Connacht prop gets the nod from Andy Farrell. The first available players linked up in Dublin today ahead of a six-day training camp in Portugal. The squad will travel to Quinta do Lago tomorrow, with players involved in the URC and Premiership Rugby finals joining the set-up in Ireland next week ahead of the Argentina clash. Bealham replaces Scotland and Glasgow Warriors prop Fagerson, who misses the Tour with a calf injury. Farrell named Tadhg Furlong and Will Stuart as the other tighthead props in his initial 38-man group last month; Furlong is also sidelined due to injury, while Stuart will be involved in next weekend's Premiership final with Bath. England's Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour will also travel to Portugal to train with the squad. 'It's tough on Zander to miss out so close to the Tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group. This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that,' said Farrell. 'But it's great to be finally at the stage where we can get onto the training ground and get to work with these players. 'Portugal will be really important for us as we look to get our house in order with only a few training sessions before we take on Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin.' The British & Irish Lions Squad (Portugal Camp) Forwards: Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851 Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853 Ben Earl (Saracens/England) Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C) Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks/England) Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) Advertisement Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837 Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841 Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) Fixtures 20 June: The Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, KO 8pm 28 June: Western Force v The Lions, Optus Stadium, Perth, KO 10:45am 2 July: Queensland Reds v The Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, KO 10:45am 5 July: NSW Waratahs v The Lions, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, KO 10:45am 9 July: ACT Brumbies v The Lions, Gio Stadium, Canberra, KO 10:45am 12 July: Invitational AU & NZ v The Lions, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, KO 10:15am 19 July: Wallabies v The Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, KO 10:45am 22 July: First Nations & Pasifika XV v The Lions, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, KO 10:45am 26 July: Wallabies v The Lions, MCG, Melbourne, KO 10:45am 2 August: Wallabies v The Lions, Accor Stadium, Sydney, KO 10:45am
