Jamie George insists England must evolve in the wake of a triumphant 2025 or risk seeing their Guinness Six Nations title ambitions crumble.
Steve Borthwick’s team are viewed by bookmakers as second favourites behind France to be crowned champions, with the rivals colliding in the climax to the tournament on March 14.
A run of 11-consecutive wins – dating back to the start of last year’s Six Nations – sees England enter their opener against Wales on Saturday week with a swagger, but George knows they can not afford to stand still.
“We’re in a good spot, there’s no hiding that,” said George, who last week announced he would retire after the 2027 World Cup.
“There’s a lot of confidence in the group and a lot of enjoyment about being in camp. That’s a good indicator that you will go on to play good rugby.
“We welcome the expectation because it’s a compliment for what we’ve done and what we’ve achieved over a short period of time, but it also keep us on our toes because we know we can’t be complacent and can’t rely on previous performances.
“We know that if we are the same team as we were for the last 11 games, it’s not going to be good enough, so our focus over the next two weeks is to become a better team.
“We have to set a new tone and new standard and play with a new intensity and in a way we’re proud of.”
Once Wales have been negotiated all eyes will turn to Murrayfield – the graveyard of England’s Six Nations aspirations in recent times.
They have not won in Edinburgh since 2020 and have lost in three of their last four visits, transforming their February 14 showdown against Scotland into a pivotal encounter that will test their minds as well as their skills.
“It’s probably turned into our biggest rivalry in the Six Nations,” George said.
“We haven’t won in Edinburgh for a long time so it’s going to be a huge game for us. Hopefully we can get off to a good start against Wales and then we’ll focus on Scotland.”
George’s pride for Itoje
George confirmed England were rallying around captain Maro Itoje following the passing of his mother in December
George was speaking at the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh in place of captain Maro Itoje, who has been grieving the death of his mother Florence.
It is a tragedy that holds poignancy for George, whose own mother Jane was diagnosed with cancer on the day he was appointed England captain in early 2024 and then died in February.
“It’s horrible news, I’ve been through it myself. It’s a hugely-challenging time for him and a hugely-challenging time for his family,” George said.
“The way he has carried himself over the last few months has been incredibly impressive. The important thing is that he’s been given enough space to mourn and grieve.
“The way he has kept showing up and put the team first in a lot of ways has been incredible.
“I know he’ll be wanting to do his family proud over the next short period of time. We’re all very proud of him and will be there for him.”
England squad for 2026 Six Nations
Steve Borthwick has named three uncapped players in Greg Fisilau, Vilikesa Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun as part of his 36-player England Six Nations squad.
Forwards (20): Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 53 caps), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 20 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 65 caps), Theo Dan (Saracens, 20 caps), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Ben Earl (Saracens, 46 caps), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 75 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 105 caps), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 97 caps – captain), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 10 caps), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, uncapped), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 45 caps).
Backs (16): Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby, 11 caps), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 74 caps), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 7 caps), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps), George Ford (Sale Sharks, 105 caps), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 22 caps), George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 27 caps), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 4 caps) , Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, 2 caps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 74 caps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 46 caps), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 14 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 41 caps), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps).
England’s 2026 Six Nations fixtures
February 7: Wales (h)
February 14: Scotland (a)
February 21: Ireland (h)
March 7: Italy (a)
March 14: France (a)