Jamie George hailed as ‘unbelievable human’ by ex-England team-mate who singles out hooker’s ‘resilience’ after ‘tough times’
Jamie George will win his 100th cap for England on Sunday.
Jamie George has been hailed for his part in turning around England’s fortunes as he prepares to becomes the nation’s seventh cap centurion on Sunday.
England have won both their games since the hooker’s return from injury – ending a run of six defeats in seven games which, ironically, led to George losing the Red Rose captaincy.
The Saracens star admitted to being shocked when called to a St Albans cafe by head coach Steve Borthwick in January and told the armband was being taken off him and given to Maro Itoje.
When he was then injured in his next game, playing for his club, he feared his England career was over. Yet after missing the Six Nations loss in Ireland he was recalled as a bench replacement and made a match-winning impact against both France and Scotland.
100th cap for George
Mako Vunipola, who played alongside George for Saracens, England and the Lions, said: “Jamie’s level of consistency is unbelievable and that’s the reason he’s getting his 100th cap.
“The French game was such a great example of how important he is to this team. England were staring at defeat and Jamie came on, bringing a level of control, calmness and direction.
“He gave England that stability to be able to go on and do what they did in the final minute, hitting the lineout and driving the maul to set up the position for the winning try.
“Others took the headlines but Jamie’s contribution was priceless and, do you know what, I was buzzing for him afterwards, as I am this weekend. He’s a great player and an unbelievable human.”
Vunipola would dearly love to be at Twickenham but is required in Spain this weekend for a mid-season training camp with his Brittany-based Top 14 club Vannes.
Instead, he will be with his mate in spirit when the ever-popular George reaches three figures, getting to lead his country out again, this time with one-year-old daughter Lydia.
It is a day George confesses he did not see coming when Borthwick took the captaincy off him two months ago and made the shock news public before the 34-year old had a chance to get his head round it.
“I won’t lie and say it didn’t go through my head that that might be it,” George told Five Live. “I didn’t know how logistically it would work. Whether it would be too awkward for me coming back in.
Surprising @J_George2 with his personalised 100th cap boots ❤️@O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/2NMvBZTQ8n
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 7, 2025
“Questions in my mind were going, is this the right thing for the team for me to be back in there? I didn’t want to tread on any toes.”
Borthwick had awarded the captaincy to George a year before, on the day the player’s mum, Jane, received a cancer diagnosis which would claim her life horribly soon afterwards.
“For Jamie to reach 100 caps after what he’s been through in the past year or so is testament to him as a person and a player,” Vunipola said.
Tough times
“He’s had a lot of tough times to deal with yet you would never know from the way he has responded. It hasn’t affected the way he’s played, the way he’s led from the front.
“Honestly, I’m over the moon for him and Katie, his wife. Jamie deserves every accolade. He has shown such resilience. It’s an unbelievable achievement for him and his family.
“It’s not been easy. He’s had to sit behind a lot of people, not just for England, but also club. Reaching this milestone speaks volumes for the hard work he’s put in and the sacrifice he’s made.”
George follows Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Jason Leonard, Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes and Danny Care in getting to his ton.
“I will raise a glass to JG,” former captain and, until recently, most-capped England hooker Dylan Hartley told Planet Rugby. Rest assured, he will not be alone in that.
