Six Nations 2023: England’s Jamie George vs Scotland | Jonny Hill and Jack Willis leave the team | Rugby League News
Jamie George returns to action in England’s opening Six Nations match after concussion; Jonny Hill and Jack Willis were among the players dropped from the team; England began their campaign by hosting Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, February (4.45pm start)
Last updated: 31/01/23 7:10pm
Jamie George returns to action in England’s Six Nations opener after concussion
Jamie George has given England an injury boost ahead of their opening match of the Guinness Six Nations, with the tennis player getting ready for the match against Scotland.
The Saracens striker was initially withdrawn from Steve Borthwick’s group after he suffered a concussion during his team’s loss to Edinburgh on 22 January.
But George, who has made 72 caps, is part of Borthwick’s 29-man squad for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham, featuring seven players, including Toulouse’s Jack Willis and Sale’s Jonny Hill Sharks, left training camp on Tuesday.
“He [George] is working through the protocols and we expect him to be ready for selection,” England defensive coach Kevin Sinfield said on Tuesday.
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England manager Steve Borthwick doesn’t want to talk about injured players but about the excitement in the group ahead of the Six Nations
“He was thrown today and it was a gradual accumulation through the protocols, so he should be ready at this point.”
This news will come as a welcome relief for Borthwick, whose team is facing injury problems.
Leicester Tigers Dan Kelly became the latest player to be ruled out as he suffered a thigh injury on Monday, with striker Henry Slade and vice-captain Courtney Lawes sidelined.
Sinfield added: “We’ve talked about Courtney already, and Jamie is a leader on the team.
“Having his influence here during the week has been really good for the team. He’s around, knows how to win big games and that’s important for us.”
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New England defensive coach Kevin Sinfield has backed Borthwick’s success in his new role and says his team will only look forward, not backward.
Bevan Rodd, Joe Heyes, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley and Guy Porter, who replaced club teammate Kelly on Monday, joined Willis and Hayes leaving camp.
Willis moved to Toulouse in November, and Sinfield was asked if that contributed to the 26-year-old winger’s omission.
“That’s for people taller than me to decide,” he said. “What I would say is that he is a great talent.
“He is very hungry to play for England and I know his situation is very difficult at the moment, hopefully in the next seven or eight weeks we will have more opportunities to bring him into the camp. Then we’ll see.”
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Ireland boss Andy Farrell says Warren Gatland and Borthwick bring spice to the Six Nations and believes Borthwick will do great for England
Sinfield also hopes Slade and Lawes can return for England’s second game against Italy next Sunday.
He added: “I hope they [fit] because I would love to have both available.
“Courtney hasn’t played yet. Henry has been in training and we’ve seen a glimpse of what he can do.
“I’m really excited at the prospect of working with both of them, but they’re not available right now.”
England’s Six Nations line-up vs Scotland
Forward: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker.
Back: Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
