"New England Captain" - 5 Talking Points: Steve Borthwick's 2024 Six Nations England Live Squad Announcement

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There is a definitive feel of a new era around Twickenham, as Borthwick welcomes seven uncapped players into the England camp. Two 'bolters' each come from Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins, with Sale Sharks also contributing a fresh face to the England camp. From the 34 players who played for England during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, only 17 players return to the squad for the 2024 Six Nations.

International retirements for Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs and Jonny May open up space for the next generation, as do the contingent of Jack Willis, Henry Arundell, Joe Marchant and David Ribbans who rule themselves out with French club commitments. Owen Farrell's international exit open up a gap amongst the fly-half pecking order, that has been filled by Northampton Saints maestro Fin Smith.

Borthwick confirmed to have spoken with Owen Farrell yesterday, and he wishes the Saracen all the best should his move to Racing 92 materialise.

"I spoke with Owen, I spoke with Owen yesterday, I think what's important is, that Owen makes a decision that's right for Owen and his family. That will a player of Owen's calibre be missed, if he chooses to play outside of England, of course. But I think do I want him at some point in the future to come back, yes. But, I want him to do what's right for him and his family and how they experience it, and the memories that he wants them to make."

Here are the 5 Biggest Talking Points, following Steve Borthwick's live press conference at Twickenham Stadium.

Jamie George was named as England captain, in the same day that he was confirmed to have signed a contract extension with Saracens.

"Firstly, I think he's an outstanding player. I think he will be that, one of the best set piece workers in the world and incredible work rate. he leads a great example, in that sense. I think. Secondly, I think he's got a fantastic understanding of the game tactically, he's very astute. And thirdly, I think he's brilliant with people relationships. So I think everybody in the room would acknowledge that Jamie has a great vibrancy and energy value. And he builds great relationships with it."

"It's a real positive step (for England, that George remains at Saracens). I think it's a real good sign, I think English rugby, after Worcester and Wasps (administration) has potentially turned the corner, and we're all seeing that, in terms of the positive nature of English rugby, certainly in what we've seen so far this season. I think to have the captain of England shows his future to English rugby and it's an important step."

"I think there's a good number of names (potential captains). And I think you look at it. One thing that struck me, was in the past, there's been talks about England not necessarily having leaders. When I look at it in that experience I've had over the last 12 months and see him (Jamie George) under Owen's (Farrell) captaincy, and seeing all the other leaders thriving.

"This is a group that brought themselves together, we just give them the room to do so.
And Jamie George, Ellis Genge who's just really an incredible influence around the squad Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, Danny Care, the list could go on, Sladey (Henry Slade), and this could go on. I think we've got some real good candidates. And I think Jamie's the outstanding one for this team right now."

2. Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola Not Included In Six Nations Squad

When Borthwick was asked about the decision to not include Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola in his Six Nations squad, he spoke very positively about the other players who have been vying for match action. Borthwick focussed on Sinckler's absence, with the likes of Dan Cole, Joe Heyes and Will Stuart creating a great contest for the England tight-head slot.

"So I spoke to both players regularly and spoke about what I'd like to see, the development in their games to be in the squad. It's competition for places, and I think that's really important. I'm sure that when you look at the tight-heads there, you Will Stuart, he's been playing well for Bath, I think you see Joe Heyes, and you see all the development in his game, particularly this year.

"Dan Cole has kept that level through, so you've got a player who is extremely experienced like Dan Cole, and then one who has played a few cops like Joe Heyes, in that position we've got that cross section. And it's important to recognize the impact that Dan Cole (has had).
When we were sat here in January 2023, the England scrum was ranked 10th in the world, and it's now ranked a good number of places higher than that.

"I think Dan Cole's influence in there has been significant and I think he's it's important that he's around at the squat. Do I think Kyle Sinckler could come back in the squad at some point in the future? I'm pretty sure we will be, I'm sure. I get a sense of determination from him to go after the aspects we discussed."

3. Borthwick Calls Up Seven Uncapped Players With Feyi-Waboso Confirmed

Borthwick named a total of seven uncapped players in his squad for the Six Nations; Northampton Saints stars Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall enter the fray, along with Harlequins bolters Chandler Cunningham-South and Oscar Beard. Exeter Chiefs back-row Ethan Roots and wing Immaneul Feyi-Waboso come in from Devon, and Sale's Tom Roebuck is selected despite discussions of a possible inclusion for Scotland.

In the live press conference, Borthwick spoke prominently about Feyi-Waboso's call-up to the squad, after the Cardiff-born wing cemented his England intentions in recent regional pre-competitions camps. Another top talent that won't be playing for Wales anytime soon, Borthwick was delighted to have secured Feyi-Waboso's services, and re-called the phone conversation to tell the 21-year-old the news.

"So Manny and I spoke some weeks ago, and I've been in regular contact with him and particularly with Rob Baxter, as well, who's been excellent. And Manny's really impressed us, not just on the pitch, I think we can all see the the power that he brings, the speed that he brings, and how he finds a way through contact when they dosn't appear to be your way through that.

"He's a real mature guy. What he's doing, he started his studies, medicine studies, and then playing for Wasps. Then to have gone through what Wasps went through, then move down to Exeter, restart from a rugby perspective and restart from a studies perspective. Really, a real sense of maturity within a young man, but really excited about this step."

"When I rang him yesterday, and I spoke to him yesterday evening, and I asked 'what are you doing?', and he says, 'I've just finished my university studies for the day, just wrapped up' and I said, 'I'm announcing the Six Nations squad tomorrow, and I'm naming you.' I could sense that excitement and buzz down the phone, he was he was thrilled. That gave me a real buzz as well."

4. Henry Slade and Alex Dombrandt Return After Rugby World Cup Disappointment

"He's (Henry Slade) played well. I know, it's obvious to say but you look at Slade in particular, he's been a match winner for Exeter this season, incredible disappointment of not being selected in the World Cup, and what's he doing? He's gone back to his club, and he's been tremendous.

"I think it's three or four times he's hit the match winning kick, match winning interception. He's been the guy clearly that they come to the most. That young team that has been developing at Exeter, that will be seen looking to him, and he's been magnificent.

"I think 'Dommers', (Alex Dombrandt) again, a player who featured in the last Six Nations, he was in the squad prior to the World Cup. Disappointing to miss out, but I see a player who's gone and played well this season."

5. No Space for Alfie Barbeary with Hopes Hindered By Double Disciplinary

Bath back-row Alfie Barbeary was not named in Borthwick's squad, with his two cited disciplinary offences playing a factor in his exclusion. Barbeary is a highly rated young talent, yet received two yellow cards in Bath's Champions Cup win over Racing 92, and has been cited separately for both incidences. The number eight's suspension fate will be confirmed tonight, yet it's certain that he won't play an immediate part in Borthwick's plans.

"I rate Alfie very highly and he knows that, I've said that to him. We met a good few weeks ago, we went to this nice health food cafe in Bath and we had a good chat then. I met up with him last week, I spoke to him yesterday, were in regular contact. It's a competitive position (number eight), and I think he's done really well.

The disciplinary factor, we are hearing tonight, is that a factor? Yes, no doubt about it, I wanted the squad to have certainty about what we do going forward. Do I think he's going to feature the team in the near future? Yes. He's got the disciplinary hearing tonight to deal with, but I think he's going to be a… if he continues to go the way he goes, I think he would be a big part of English rugby.

"I recall (a match), I was coaching Leicester at the time, when we were playing against Wasps, and I think it was the game where we were going for the record for consecutive (Premiership) wins. We lost that day, and Alfie's performance in the second half of that game was incredible. I remember we sat there watching and thinking 'this guy, he's not in the England squad now, but he will be. He will be an England player, a regular player. He's had some injury setbacks, and it's testing his character, the way he is playing now."

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