Jamie George is set to captain England again for the Nations Championship Tests, with Steve Borthwick preparing to rest Maro Itoje for the summer programme. The Saracens hooker is expected to lead England into fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, according to a fresh report from The Times.
The move would hand England an experienced voice at a delicate point in Borthwick’s rebuild. George lost the captaincy at the start of 2025, when Itoje was elevated, but he has remained one of the most trusted senior figures in the squad.
England turn back to experience
Itoje’s absence is significant because England are trying to reset after a damaging Six Nations campaign. Borthwick’s side are due to face three very different tests in the Nations Championship, starting with South Africa before meetings with Fiji and Argentina.
George offers continuity in the front row and familiarity with the leadership demands around England camp. The same report says Ollie Chessum and Fin Smith are also expected to take on greater responsibility, which suggests Borthwick wants a broader leadership group rather than a one-man handover.
For George, the captaincy return would be more than a short-term fix. It would put him back at the centre of England’s response to a difficult year, while allowing Itoje the space Borthwick has increasingly indicated he may need.
