England’s new captain Maro Itoje insisted that “injuries present opportunities” after a raft of players were ruled out of next week’s Six Nations opener in Ireland. Five players were dropped from Steve Borthwick’s squad on Tuesday: Alex Coles (Northampton Saints),

Steve Borthwick has been forced into a drastic reshuffle of his Six Nations squad after Jamie George was ruled out of the opening two rounds, the former captain among four players to withdraw from the England squad.

Hooker George, who has been replaced by Maro Itoje as captain, suffered a hamstring injury playing for Saracens in the Champions Cup and is among a group of five forced to withdraw from a pre-tournament training camp in Girona.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has been forced to call up five players after his Six Nations squad was rocked by injury on a damaging weekend of club rugby.

Obviously, personal goals are aligned to team outcomes so mine would be to win the Six Nations competition. It’s exciting, one of the best competitions in the world and I’m thrilled to meet up with all the lads again.