Dawson: George is England's catalyst

FORMER England captain and scrumhalf Matt Dawson says skipper Jamie George has been the “catalyst” for the country’s recent turnaround.

- NICK POWELL

World Cup winner Dawson believes it was George who drove the improved style of play that England displayed in their final two games of the Six Nations, rather than coach Steve Borthwick.

With Borthwick having implemented a more kick-dominated style throughout 2023 – and into the first three games of the tournament – Dawson believes the 33-year-old Saracens hooker would have rallied senior players to encourage the change in the way they attacked.

So extreme was the improvement in England’s offensive performance that they scored seven tries across their final two games against winners Ireland and runners-up France, having managed only five in the three games against the teams in the bottom half of the championship.

“I do genuinely think that Jamie George has been the catalyst in all of this,” Dawson said, speaking on The Rugby Paper Podcast. “I know that also connects with the fact that Owen Farrell isn’t in the squad and has moved on, but I really do think that George has been instrumental.

“There is not a chance that Steve Borthwick has all of a sudden changed what he’s been doing for over a year. We all know what he’s like, we all know what he’s good at and has been good at for his entire career. He’s not going to turn around and suggest that England play like they have in the latter part of this Six Nations.