Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola are the glaring omissions from Steve Borthwick’s new England squad for the upcoming Six Nations, with Jamie George confirmed as captain.
Sinckler has endured a difficult World Cup campaign with England – especially from the bench in the narrow semi-final defeat to South Africa – and could move a step closer to the Top 14 next season. Vunipola was similarly marginalized in France and both stalwarts are left out as Borthwick overhauls his squad at the start of the new World Cup cycle.
Accordingly, seven uncapped players have been selected in the 36-man squad: Harlequins duo Chandler Cunningham-South and Oscar Beard, as well as Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots. Northampton’s Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall are also in attendance – two of the seven Saints selected – as is Sale’s Tom Roebuck.
There have also been recalls for Henry Slade – overlooked by the World Cup squad – and his former Exeter teammate Luke Cowan-Dickie, while Alex Dombrandt and Ben Spencer return to the squad after missing out in France. Slade’s return is reward for his good form, while Cowan-Dickie has settled at Sale after overcoming a complicated neck injury.
George is confirmed as captain after agreeing a two-year extension to remain at Saracens. It is believed the 33-year-old was on the verge of agreeing a move to the Top 14 at the end of last year but was persuaded to stay with the help of the Rugby Football Union – the hooker is the first confirmed recipient of an improved contract – he has been selected as Owen Farrell’s successor as captain.
“Last week Steve asked me to captain the upcoming Six Nations and I accepted with great gratitude and enthusiasm,” said George. “I enjoy playing rugby for England. I hope everyone has seen how much it means to me, I have never shied away from that. I’m so excited about where this team can go and taking the fans along on that journey is something I care deeply about.
“I believe I am at the stage of my career where I can give my all as captain and give my best on the pitch. I do not underestimate the challenge ahead. Owen is a fantastic motivator and tactician, and we will undoubtedly miss his leadership. But I have brilliant people around me, many of whom have won major tournaments, and capitalizing on the great experience we have within the group will be crucial.
“The squad is in a great place to build on some very strong performances at the Rugby World Cup and I look forward to getting started and welcoming some new faces to the camp.”
With Farrell absent, along with Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, both Vunipolas and Ben Youngs – and a number of players who have moved to France – the selected squad represents another broom for Borthwick. Feyi-Waboso is a standout selection given his form for Exeter, while George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Tom Pearson and Beno Obano have also been rewarded for recent performances with their clubs.
“Building on the foundations of what we achieved at the Rugby World Cup, I have selected a squad that offers strong continuity and experience, while providing the opportunity to develop the talent of some new and less experienced players,” said Borthwick.
Sinckler has been hampered by an adductor injury of late, but Bristol were hopeful he would be fit for this weekend’s Champions Cup tie against Connacht. He is also missing from the rehabilitation list with George Martin, Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet and Raffi Quirke. Billy Vunipola, meanwhile, is another player who may struggle to add to his current cap count and has been linked with a move abroad at the end of the season.
Forward: Ollie Chessum (Leicester, 18 caps) Then Cole (Leicester, 107 international matches) Alex Coles (Northampton, 3 caps) Luke Cowan Dickie (Sale, 41 caps) Chandler Cunningham South (Harlequins, uncapped) Ben Curry (Sale, 5 caps) Theo Daan (Saracens, 7 caps) Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps) Ben Graaf (Saracens, 25 caps) Ellis Genge (Bristol, 58 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps, captain) Joe Heyes (Leicester, 7 caps) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps) Beno Obano (Bath, 3 caps) Tom Pearson (Northampton, 1 cap) Ethan Roots (Exeter, uncapped) Will Stuart (Bath, 33 caps) Sam Underhill (Bath, 30 caps).
Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped) Danny Zorg (Harlequins, 96 caps) Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps) Fraser Dingwall (Northampton, uncapped) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter, uncapped) George Ford (Sale, 91 caps) Tommy Vrijman (Northampton, 3 caps) George Furbank (Northampton, 6 caps) Ollie Laurens (Bath, 21 caps) Alex Mitchell (Northampton, 11 caps) Tom Roebuck (Sale, without limit) Henry Slade (Exeter, 57 caps) Finn Smith (Northampton, uncapped) Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps) Ben Spencer (Bath, 4 caps) Freddie Stewart (Leicester, 31 caps).
Rehabilitation: George Martin (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Anthony Watson (Leicester), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
England open their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 3.
France, meanwhile, have named Gregory Alldritt captain for the Six Nations Championship after taking over from Antoine Dupont, who will miss the tournament to focus on the Sevens side at the Paris Olympics later this year.
Fabien Galthié has named six uncapped players. Center Nicolas Depoortere, back row Esteban Abadie, locks Matthias Halagahu and Emmanuel Meafou, flyhalf Antoine Gibert and scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec could all make their Six Nations debuts.
Meafou was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, but has played for Toulouse since 2019 and trained with France last year, although he is only now eligible to play for the national team.
Elsewhere, Andy Farrell has selected Peter O’Mahony as Ireland captain. The Munster flanker takes over the role from Johnny Sexton, who retired following last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in Paris. The 34-year-old, who captained Ireland for the first time in June 2013 in a 15-12 win over the United States, has won 101 Test caps for his country, plus one for the British & Irish Lions.
Farrell’s 34-man roster does not include any uncapped players. However, there are recalls for Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Jordan Larmour, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, and Munster wing Calvin Nash. The reigning Grand Slam champions open the championship on February 2 against France in Marseille.