England have suffered significant injury news ahead of the Six Nations with Jamie George set to miss their opening fixture against Ireland. Hooker George, who has been replaced by Maro Itoje as captain,

England have been struck by an injury crisis less than a fortnight before the Guinness Six Nations with vice-captain Jamie George heading a significant list of withdrawals from Steve Borthwick’s squad.

England lose Jamie George for Six Nations opener as injuries mount before Ireland clash - Alex Mitchell is also doubtful for Dublin trip, with Alex Coles, Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Dombrandt all ru

Maro Itoje has been named England captain for this year’s Six Nations. Steve Borthwick has taken the armband from his Saracens teammate Jamie George, who skippered the team to mixed success in the Autumn Nations Series last year.

England have been hit by the loss of vice-captain Jamie George for their Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 1, with Alex Mitchell also a doubt for the Dublin showdown. Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup defeat by Saracens on Sunday and will miss the start of the tournament,

England vice-captain Jamie George has been ruled out of the Six Nations opener against defending champions Ireland on February 1, the Rugby Football Union announced on Tuesday.

Jamie George, replaced as England captain by Maro Itoje last week, has been ruled out of their Six Nations opener against Ireland, with scrumhalf Alex Mitchell also a doubt after the squad was hit by a raft of injuries.

Hooker Jamie George will miss England's Six Nations opener against Ireland while scrum-half Alex Mitchell is a doubt with a knee problem.