Wales coach Warren Gatland expresses his belief that Jamie George is the ideal captain for England, revealing that the player came close to being his choice as captain for the British and Irish Lions.
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Writing in The Telegraph, he wrote: “The truth is that I had lined him up to be my captain of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021.
“I had taken something of a punt on Jamie on the 2017 tour of New Zealand, when I named him as one of our three hookers despite the fact that he had not yet started a Test match for England. But he ended up as a starting hooker for the three Tests in the drawn series with the All Blacks.
“He was outstanding on that tour, not just as a player but as a person and when it came to considering my captain for the next tour, he was right at the top. He had all the attributes you would want in a Lions captain.”
Gatland added: “I think he will do a really good job and will be good for Steve Borthwick, too. Jamie will galvanise the England squad and bring a really positive outlook, which will be important given how many new faces they have in their squad.
“England are going to have to go through the same kind of process that we did after last year’s Six Nations.
“They don’t have the same pressure of numbers that we do but I can see how they are trying to evolve and bring players through for the next cycle and Jamie’s experience as a 33-year-old who has 85 caps for his country will be critical in that evolution.”
NIGEL OWENS DREAM SIX NATIONS XV:
Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia), replaced by Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Owens said: “For me, it’s nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner.”
Winger: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Owens said: “How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.
“I know he’s a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.
“When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you’ll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem.”
Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Owens said: “Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.
“A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch.”
Inside-centre: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand), replaced by Owen Farrell (England)
Owens praised Farrell as a player on numerous occasions.
On one occasion he wrote: “I can only speak from my own experience of refereeing him and, when I did, he was an excellent captain to deal with.
“I have a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person. He always knew where the line was with me.
“I would say to him that he could always come and talk to me as long as it was at the right time and in the right tone and he always did that.”
Winger: Shane Williams (Wales)
Owens said: “When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.
“But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.
“He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.”