‘T felt like I had a lot more to give as England captain’

Jamie George could become a Test centurion on Sunday and he explains another deposed leader inspires him to forge on

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

It was the very start of an England career that, on Sunday afternoon, will reach a special milestone which underscores the value of patience and resilience to Jamie George. The front rower will raise his bat against Italy as he wins cap No 100, in doing so becoming the first male English hooker to compile a century as the heart and soul of his side.

But George had to wait his turn. His 18 appearances off the bench to begin his time in Test rugby remain a national record, a player long tipped for the top forced to bide his time as Dylan Hartley led England’s rebirth under Eddie Jones. “When I reflect on my journey so far, it’s not been straightforward. It’s been challenging, difficult, frustrating and I’ve not got opportunities when I felt I was ready to.

“I would be lying if I sat here and said I didn’t throw a strop every now and then. I was ambitious. I still am. I still want to start every game, I still want to be the best hooker I possibly can be. What I learnt is that I can be tough, resilient, can make the most out of those situations. For me it was always about refining my core skills, controlling what I can control, being ready for the opportunities. A lot of that revolved around my fitness, my running capacity and my lineout throwing.

“I wanted to be the best lineout thrower in the world, the fittest hooker in the world. That’s the way I saw it. I can confidently say that I can look back and say I did capitalise on that period, and I’m a better player because of it.”