Less than two months after Jamie George feared his England career was over, the veteran hooker is set to become a Test centurion in the Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday.
George succeeded Owen Farrell as England skipper ahead of the 2024 Six Nations championship but was demoted to vice-captain in January as Saracens teammate Maro Itoje took over.
“That hurt, it really did, and the first thing on my mind was ‘is that me (done)?’,” the 34-year-old said on Tuesday. “Some of the best times of my life have been playing rugby for England. I love playing rugby for England.”
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Recounting the moment England boss Steve Borthwick took away the captaincy over coffee in St Albans, George said: “It wasn’t a two-way conversation, it was very one-way. I don’t think you can plead your case like a break-up.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but at the same time I understood it. I was gutted. I felt like I had a lot more to give but at the same time his decision and who he has picked in Maro is a fantastic decision and what he has done in the last few weeks has been really impressive.”
Revitalised after the captaincy snub, George harbours ambitions of featuring on another British and Irish Lions tour this summer and continuing in an England shirt until at least the 2027 World Cup.
“I want to play for England as long as I can; the World Cup is definitely an ambition of mine and I would love to put my name in the hat for another Lions tour,” he said.
“Hopefully my performances over the next couple of weeks will put my name in the conversation.”
In earning his 100th Test cap, George becomes England’s seventh centurion after Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Jason Leonard, Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes and Danny Care.
With two rounds remaining, England are third on the Six Nations table, one point behind France and trailing leaders Ireland by four.
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