Ranking England's hooker options ahead of the new season

Steve Borthwick made a significant decision midway through last season – handing the England captaincy to Maro Itoje from Jamie George.

This suggested George’s starting berth was not guaranteed, and threw the competition for that No.2 shirt wide open, and that battle looks like it will continue this season.

So here is what the hierarchy of England’s capped hookers could look like currently with the new Gallagher PREM season just days away – excluding uncapped rising stars such as Nathan Jibulu and Kepu Tuipulotu.

The players will be ranked in three tiers: ‘locked in’ – those not only guaranteed to make an England squad, but very likely to start, ‘in the mix’ – those who could make their way into Borthwick’s wider squad with a strong start to the season, and ‘work to do’ – those who are capped but largely out of contention currently.

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Locked in

Jamie George
There is very little to separate George and Cowan-Dickie, and though the former England captain was not an original selection for the British & Irish Lions series, his performance in the first Test victory over Argentina before his Lions call-up cannot go unnoticed. The 102-cap veteran will be 35 by the time the Autumn Nations Series comes around, but he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Luke Cowan-Dickie
Selected ahead of George for the Lions, but the Saracen probably had the more productive summer. He did appear to be the preferred option by the end of this year’s Six Nations, and, being George’s senior by two-and-a-half years, he may keep hold of that No.2 jersey with the World Cup coming into focus. A tight decision for Borthwick, but if it’s not No.2, it’ll undoubtedly be No.16.

In the mix

Jamie Blamire
After England’s two frontrunners, it is a bit of a free-for-all for the other hookers and hard to judge, however, Blamire was recently selected as the third-choice option in England’s 36-man squad for their training camp. That could be Borthwick testing the waters after a fairly lengthy Test exile – his last cap was in 2023 – for Blamire, but it could be the head coach showing his hand as to what his plans are. His move to Leicester Tigers this summer will only boost the hooker’s chances.

Theo Dan
England’s next cab off the rank when George was called up to the Lions, but the fact that he was only given a handful of minutes in the first Test victory over the Pumas is perhaps an insight into the gulf Borthwick sees between his first-choice hookers and the next tier. A tough afternoon when starting in the second Test, resulting in an injury, may have bumped the 24-year-old down the pecking order.

Curtis Langdon
Dan’s injury in July meant Langdon was chosen to start against the USA, which was a just reward after the season he had with Northampton. Will be aware that the back-up hooker role is up for grabs and will want to stake his claim in what could be a rejuvenated Saints pack this season.

Gabriel Oghre
Capped from the bench against the USA and scored a try within minutes of his introduction to Test rugby. He will know that he faces stiff competition, but few can offer the dynamism the Bristol Bears front-row offers.

Work to do

Jack Walker
Not in the Test equation, but he was capped during Borthwick’s tenure – the 2023 Six Nations.

Tom Dunn
Hasn’t added to his three England caps in five years now, but you could not knock his form for Bath last season.

Jack Singleton
An England international, and therefore included on this list, but a way off.