Jamie George thought-about ending his England profession due to the shock and ache of shedding the captaincy earlier than the beginning of the Six Nations.
Hooker George, 34, succeeded Owen Farrell as England skipper earlier than final yr’s championship, however was changed by Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje in January.
“It was arduous, it was tough, it was irritating and clearly then that makes you query if you are able to do it,” he advised RAYNAE Sport’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“I will not lie and say it did not undergo my head [finishing his England career] as a result of I did not actually understand how logistically it might work and if it might be too awkward to be coming again in. I did not wish to tread on any toes.”
George says he consulted his father, uncle and spouse on his resolution, and never all of them thought he ought to proceed his worldwide profession.
“However in the end it was ‘what’s your intestine really feel?” George added. “Initially I did not know if I might return, however I watched the Eire sport [this year’s Six Nations opener which he missed through injury] and all I wished to do was be again on that subject as a result of I missed it.”
Beneath George, England completed third within the 2024 Six Nations, however then suffered a run of 5 successive defeats in matches in opposition to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa throughout the summer time and autumn.
England gained 5 of 12 Checks underneath his stewardship.
George, who has picked up three Six Nations titles and performed within the 2019 World Cup closing, stated head coach Steve Borthwick broke the information to him over espresso in a “fairly to-the-point” dialog in St Albans.
“I feel he was stunned by me questioning myself,” added George. “I feel it might hit anybody arduous. It was a job that I liked, I used to be extremely proud to have the ability to do it and I felt I used to be firstly of one thing. It was a shock.”
