England plan to start Jamie George against Scotland

England plan to start Jamie George against Scotland despite the hooker’s two-week absence from training with concussion… as head coach Steve Borthwick retains the ‘leader’ in his 29-man squad with him on track to complete return-to-play protocols

  • Jamie George suffered a concussion in Saracens’ loss to Edinburgh last month
  • England’s Six Nations curtain-raiser is against Scotland on Saturday afternoon
  • The hooker has been undergoing return-to-play protocols in the hope of playing

England are hoping to parachute Jamie George into their team to face Scotland despite the hooker missing almost two weeks of training.

George is still undergoing his return-to-play protocols but has been retained in Steve Borthwick’s 29-man squad for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup.

Seven players were sent home from Pennyhill Park on Tuesday, including experienced lock Jonny Hill, who has fallen behind Nick Isiekwe, Dave Ribbans and Ollie Chessum.

Jamie George is on track to start for England against Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday

Hookers Tom Dunn and Jack Walker have been retained, but one of them is likely to miss out if George passes the final stages of his concussion tests.

‘Jamie’s working through the protocols and we expect him to be available for selection,’ said coach Kevin Sinfield. 

‘He’s thrown today [Tuesday] and it’s a gradual build-up through the protocols, so at the minute he’s on track to be available. 

‘He is very much a leader in the group. He’s been around, knows how to win big games and that’s important for us.’

The hooker must complete return-to-play protocols after suffering concussion on January 22

Having not been available for the full camp because of contractual commitments to Toulouse, in-form flanker Jack Willis has been omitted in favour of Ben Curry, Ben Earl and Lewis Ludlam.

Borthwick will announce his team on Wednesday. Veteran prop Dan Cole is in line to win his first cap since 2019, while Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell are likely to maintain their 10-12 combination from the autumn.

Cadan Murley, Bevan Rodd, Joe Heyes, Alex Mitchell and Guy Porter were also sent back to their clubs.

England head coach Steve Borthwick will announce his team to face Scotland on Wednesday

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