England hooker Jamie George faces Six Nations uncertainty after Saracens’ defeat by Castres

England’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a severe blow, with veteran hooker Jamie George facing a race against time to recover for their opening clash against Ireland in Dublin. George limped off with a hamstring injury during Saracens’ 32-24 defeat to Castres in the Champions Cup, capping a dismal week for the 34-year-old.

The Jamie George injury adds to the challenges for England, following his recent demotion as captain, with Maro Itoje now taking over the armband. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has expressed uncertainty about the severity of the injury, raising further concerns for England coach Steve Borthwick. Borthwick is already managing a growing injury list that includes Sam Underhill, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and George Furbank.

Saracens’ defeat wasn’t just a physical blow to George—it also highlighted the leadership challenges facing Itoje. The match, Itoje’s final appearance for Saracens before taking up England captaincy, was expected to showcase his credentials. Instead, it exposed vulnerabilities. Under Itoje’s watch, Saracens squandered a five-point lead late in the game, with errors at crucial moments proving costly.

In the 73rd minute, Saracens had a chance to regain control after winning a penalty. However, Jamie George’s errant lineout ended their hopes of a comeback, and Castres sealed their victory with a late penalty. The result forces Saracens into an away fixture against Toulon in the last 16, adding to their woes after failing to secure a home advantage.

For England, the timing of George’s injury couldn’t be worse. With the Six Nations opener less than a fortnight away and the squad heading to Girona for warm-weather training, Borthwick faces a selection headache. If George is unavailable, Theo Dan and Luke Cowan-Dickie will likely compete for the No. 2 jersey. Dan’s dynamic performance, including two tries, provided a glimmer of hope for Saracens, but the pressure to step up at the international level will be immense.

Meanwhile, Castres defied expectations with a stunning display. Despite making 15 changes to their side, they dominated the opening exchanges. No. 8 Feibyan Tukino capitalised on the chaos created by Adrea Cocagi to score the opening try. Saracens fought back through Dan and Ben Earl, whose double helped the hosts to a 19-14 halftime lead.

But Castres refused to fade. Théo Chabouni and captain Adrien Séguret led a second-half resurgence, with Santiago Arata’s brilliant break setting up Séguret’s decisive try. Saracens’ defence faltered under pressure, with Elliot Daly struggling in key moments, allowing the visitors to take control.

For Saracens and England, the stakes are now higher than ever. While Saracens must regroup for their Toulon showdown, Borthwick must navigate the uncertainty surrounding George’s fitness and the scrutiny over Itoje’s leadership. With Ireland looming on the horizon, England’s Six Nations campaign already feels like a test of resilience.