In this chat with Jamie George, the England rugby legend, listeners get an inside look at his feelings around achieving 100 caps. He describes the moment as "surreal" and discusses losing the captaincy, sharing how head coach Steve Borthwick broke the news to him. Jamie reflects on the importance of resilience and family support throughout his career. The conversation also features a fun quiz, where Jamie showcases his knowledge of rugby trivia, and strategic insights on player roles as the Six Nations approach.
Jamie George reflects on his milestone of 100 caps for England, emphasizing pride and the resilience needed to overcome challenges in his career.
He candidly discusses the emotional impact of losing the captaincy, highlighting the importance of team dynamics and his supportive role as vice-captain.
Deep dives
Celebrating 100 Caps
Jamie George reflects on reaching the milestone of 100 caps for England, expressing pride and honor in achieving this significant accomplishment in his rugby career. He notes that while he didn’t initially set a target for his number of caps, reaching 100 became a goal as he progressed through his career, particularly after hitting the 80-cap mark. George reminisces about his journey, acknowledging the time that has flown by since his debut and the importance of resilience throughout his career, especially in overcoming injuries. The upcoming match represents not only a personal milestone for him but also an opportunity to contribute significantly to the team's performance during the Six Nations.
Emotional Impact of Captaincy Change
George candidly discusses the emotional challenges he faced after losing the captaincy, acknowledging that it hit him harder than he expected. He shares how this experience led him to question his role and whether he still fit into the team dynamics, particularly when competing with new leadership. The support from family and fellow players aided him in navigating these feelings, allowing him to focus on his passion for the game and return to playing form. This period of uncertainty ultimately fueled his desire to contribute to the team and reaffirmed his love for playing for England.
Adapting to Team Dynamics
Once he returned to the squad, George found the transition back to being a player rather than a captain to be relatively smooth, largely due to his established relationships with teammates and the current captain. He emphasizes his comfort in the vice-captain role, supporting Maro Itoje while also contributing to team leadership. George highlights the importance of knowing when to speak up and when to allow the team to direct itself, navigating his responsibilities in a new light. His insights reflect a broader understanding of team dynamics, where his experience plays a crucial part in facilitating the group's cohesion.
England's Playing Style Challenges
George acknowledges the recent criticisms directed at the England rugby team's playing style, particularly their tendency to rely on a kicking game rather than showcasing expansive, attacking rugby. While acknowledging the necessity of strategic kicking in international matches, he stresses the importance of finding a balance between defense strategies and offensive opportunities. The team has been working on shifting back to a more dynamic style of play, so they can better utilize their strengths. Their recent victories, even when not meeting their ideal performance standards, demonstrate their resilience, but George highlights the need for continuous improvement to build confidence and establish a clear identity on the field.
We're at Pennyhill Park speaking to England legend, and pod favourite, Jamie George ahead of his 100th cap this weekend. He tells Chris and Ashy how it feels "surreal" to be reaching a century of caps for his country but how he remains as driven as ever. George also opens up about how difficult it was to lose the England captaincy before the start of the 2025 Six Nations and how head coach Steve Borthwick broke the news to him. Plus, we put England's latest centurion to the test with a special quiz on his international career so far.
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