As we approach the kick-off of the Six Nations 2024, the question around England Rugby and its fans is to decide who would be the next captain in the absence of Owen Farrell.
Earlier, England skipper Owen Farrell decided to take a break from international rugby to focus on himself and his mental health, and this has opened up a decision for head coach Steve Borthwick to make.
For England, it could be looking better ahead of the Grand Slam with several uncertainties and tough decisions. Starting with the captaincy role, George Ford and Marcus Smith emerged as the first choices for captaincy.
Fans who've watched the Red Roses play with tickets from the vetted marketplace agree that Ford has strong leadership qualities in him, having worn the national jersey on 91 occasions. But the responsibility of orchestrating the attack, one thing he excels at the moment, and captaincy might be too much for him to handle.
Ellis Genge is another candidate who stands out as a natural leader in this England team. He is an impactful captain of Leicester, but with Joe Marler's intentions to continue playing and Genge's current injury, uncertainties arise.
Another option England could've looked at was Tom Curry, but with him out of the season, the list narrows down to Jamie George and Maro Itoje. Itoje has had some stellar performances for Saracens and has never fallen short in the England jersey.
Fans who witnessed the England team play in France with vetted marketplace tickets would agree that Itoje is the powerhouse in the England forwards and is a vital cog in the entire setup. His effort and dedication remain unmatched, which leads to the question of where the added burden of leadership can halt this work rate.
For England to succeed as a team, they need Itoje. The added pressure might impact his overall game if he is conferred with the captaincy.
Through all these conversations, Jamie George emerges as the strongest candidate for captaincy. He's a sure starter, highly experienced, widely respected, and possesses exceptional rugby knowledge.
He has shown excellent leadership qualities and has a good rapport with stakeholders. While he is 33 years old, this is a transitional phase for Borthwick, and he should fit in as the ideal captain ahead of the Six Nations.
For England, however, a long-term fix for a captain is a prime concern. Owen Farrell, who is 32 years old, will be 36 when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Australia. While England focuses on their immediate future, a long-term captain and the team built around him must be decided.
For now, George could step in as captain for the Six Nations, allowing time for reassessment. In the ever-changing landscape of rugby, the here-and-now approach might be the key, and George fits that bill perfectly.
It is a disappointment for coach Warren Gatland and Wales as they will miss out on their captain, Jac Morgan, owing to injury. Morgan missed a recent game for the Ospreys and is set to undergo surgery, keeping him away from rugby for a significant period.
Coach Toby Booth from the Ospreys gave more information on the injury and the need for surgery. While exact timelines are uncertain, the injury seems severe and will affect his participation in professional sports. The versatile flanker was impressive for Wales during the World Cup, and coach Gatland would've liked him to continue the same momentum at the Six Nations.
On the other hand, Taulupe Faletau, who suffered an arm injury during the World Cup, is reportedly progressing well in his recovery, although there's no specific return date yet.
Gatland might also miss Taine Plumtree, who is ruled out due to a shoulder injury, and Christ Tshiunza, who is nursing a broken foot.
Wales faces a tough start in the tournament against Scotland in Cardiff, followed by away fixtures against England and Ireland before concluding at home against France and Italy.
Jake Polledri, the 28-year-old Briston flanker, returns to Italian rugby after a lapse of 2 years for the Six Nations of 2024. The flanker has had a series of injuries and a family tragedy over the years, keeping him away from the rugby field.
But now, Polledri is back on the field and will join the Italy squad under new coach Gonzalo Quesada for the upcoming Six Nations.
Polledri was back on the field in the game involving the Cheetahs and Bristol. The game did not go Bristol's way, but the player expressed satisfaction being back on the field after a long fight with injuries.
Upon his return, he was received by the local fans and family, who were overjoyed to have him back.
Polledri's return coincides with Quesada naming his first squad, his first opportunity to communicate his rugby philosophy. With players in the stature of Polledri in line for representing Italy, it helps a coach manage the team better.
Looking forward to the Six Nations, Polledri expects the team to improve their performances after disappointing results over the years. The Six Nations have never favored the Italians.
Last year, the only notable performance from the side in the Six Nations came against France when the side almost won the game, but the French were too good. The game ended 24-29 in favor of the French, but it was an exceptional 80 minutes of rugby.
For Italy and Quesado, it will be about reducing the gap and bringing more competitiveness to the games they play. Despite the unfortunate results, the fans have continued to come with vetted marketplace tickets and will only increase if the competitiveness improves.
Regarding the upcoming Championship, Polledri expects France to be motivated to perform after they failed to win the Rugby World Cup at home. Despite the competitiveness of the tournament, he believes that Italy has something on its sleeve to bring in some surprises, especially in the home games.
The fixture against England on February 3rd in Rome is highly anticipated for this newly revamped "new Italy" team. Polledri is confident that good play and avoiding errors can shock teams and produce unexpected outcomes in the Six Nations.
