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With Owen Farrell stepping away from international duty with England, the race is well and truly on to find a replacement captain to lead men in the white in the Guinness Six Nations.
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While England head coach Steve Borthwick will be getting the final say, there is already a favourite to place the Wigan-born standoff.
Farrell dropped the bombshell news that he had decided to step back from his role with England to focus on his family’s mental well-being at the end of 2023. A secondary bombshell – and no less shocking for English rugby fans – are reports that the 32-year-old is on the verge of signing a two-year deal with Top 14 giants Racing 92.
And now a favourite to replace him has emerged.
Saracens hooker and teammate Jamie George has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Farrell as England skipper. Bookmaker https://sports.williamhill.com/betting/en-gb/rugby-union/OB_EV30116998/england-captain-first-game-of-six-nations-2024″>William Hill has recently opened betting on the matter, placing George at the top with odds of 1/2.
Ellis Genge, another prominent figure with the England camp, trails slightly behind with odds of 6/4. The Bristol Bears prop could be a viable option for the role, though concerns about his fitness due to a recent hamstring issue may impact his chances.
George Ford, the talented Sale Sharks fly-half, is also in contention with odds of 5/2. His tactical acumen and Test experience make him a strong candidate.
Maro Itoje, another potential candidate, stands at 8/1. While Itoje is a formidable player, the odds suggest he is a less likely choice for this critical leadership role.
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“Steve Borthwick will look to make a call on the England captaincy soon, and the odds suggest it’s Jamie George who’s most likely to get the nod,” said William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps remarked. “While Genge and Ford are strong contenders, George’s odds-on position highlights his standing in the team and his readiness to lead England in their opening Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome on February 3rd.”
England Six Nations Captain:
Jamie George: 1/2
Ellis Genge: 6/4
George Ford: 5/2
Maro Itoje: 8/1
Marcus Smith: 16/1
Alex Mitchell: 16/1
Ben Earl: 16/1
Ollie Chessum: 20/1
Sam Underhill: 25/1
Manu Tuilagi: 25/1
Alex Dombrandt: 25/1
Elliot Daly: 33/1
Freddie Steward: 33/1
Ollie Lawrence: 33/1
It has to be Itoje.
Has gravitas and presence that George does not.
Ford almost over the hill anyway and Smith will be no 10 if England want to compete with the best.
Unless Borthwick intends kicking the life and fun out of the game again .
Has to be someone with a guaranteed starter spot. Ideally a loose forward, realistically any forward, or a half-back.
That leaves George, Itoje, and Earl. Maybe Chessum. Anyone else is pretty much a bad idea.
Alex Dombrandt
25/1
I don't like those odds.
The utter paucity of a quality skipper says so much about the England problem, the lack of leadership both on and off the pitch during the reign of Offal the shoulder gob she height has been palpable. Ok, so it’s easy if you have got a natural skipper who is a shoo in for selection, we haven’t had one since………..?
I’d favour Genge, partly because I like the continuity of him having been vice captain last season
Also, I’m a bit surprised Lewis Ludlam and Tom Curry aren’t on the list. I know Ludlam wouldn’t normally be considered a nailled-on starter, but he is a proven captain, and while Curry isn’t available in the short term but would make sense as a long term appointment if Farrell isn’t coming back or wants to step back from captaincy. Like for the reasons mentioned I get why Ludlam and Curry aren’t near the top of the list, but seriously, would anyone choose Alex Dombrandt or Manu Tuilagi over them?