England vice-captain Jamie George has been ruled out of the Six Nations opener against defending champions Ireland on February 1, the Rugby Football Union announced on Tuesday.

England have been struck by an injury crisis less than a fortnight before the Guinness Six Nations with vice-captain Jamie George heading a significant list of withdrawals from Steve Borthwick’s squad.

England lose Jamie George for Six Nations opener as injuries mount before Ireland clash - Alex Mitchell is also doubtful for Dublin trip, with Alex Coles, Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Dombrandt all ru

England have suffered significant injury news ahead of the Six Nations with Jamie George set to miss their opening fixture against Ireland. Hooker George, who has been replaced by Maro Itoje as captain,

Jamie George’s miserable week was compounded when the hooker limped off with a hamstring problem late in Saracens’ Champions Cup defeat by Castres.

Former England captain Jamie George is now a major injury doubt for the Six Nations after picking up a knock in Saracens’ shock 32-24 defeat to Castres last night. George was named England skipper ahead of last year’s Championship,

Hooker Jamie George will miss England's Six Nations opener against Ireland while scrum-half Alex Mitchell is a doubt with a knee problem.

England have been hit by the loss of vice-captain Jamie George for their Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 1, with Alex Mitchell also a doubt for the Dublin showdown. Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup defeat by Saracens on Sunday and will miss the start of the tournament,