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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
Comments on RugbyPass
I commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
20 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
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