Jamie George will take over from Owen Farrell and captain England in the Six Nations, the Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday.
George, who has previously led Saracens and the British and Irish Lions, succeeds Owen Farrell with his club-mate missing the tournament while he takes a mental health break from Test rugby.
But there is no place in England coach Steve Borthwick’s 36-man tournament training squad for either Billy Vunipola or Kyle Sinckler.
George has won 85 England caps, plus three for the Lions, and is Borthwick’s first-choice hooker.
“Last week Steve asked me to be captain for the upcoming Six Nations and I accepted with huge gratitude and enthusiasm,” George said.
“I love playing rugby for England. I hope that everyone has seen how much it means to me, I have never shied away from that.
“I am so excited about where this team can go and bringing the fans on that journey with us is something that I care about deeply.”
He added: “I believe I’m at the stage of my career where I can give my all to the captaincy and give my best on the pitch.
“I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead. Owen is a fantastic motivator and tactician, and we will undoubtedly miss his leadership.
“But I have got brilliant people around me, many of whom have won major tournaments, and utilising the great experience we have within the group is going to be crucial.”
England finished third at last year’s World Cup in France.
But they have won just two matches in each of the past three Six Nations.
England begin this season’s Championship away to Italy on February 3.
England squad:
Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps), Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps), Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain, Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap), Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps).
Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped), Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, uncapped), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps).
Photo: Henry Nicholls/AFP
