Jamie George

Jamie Edward George (born 20 October 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the England national team.[2][3]

Jamie George
George representing England during the Six Nations Championship
Full nameJamie Edward George
Date of birth (1990-10-20) 20 October 1990
Place of birthWelwyn Garden City, England
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight109 kg (240 lb; 17 st 2 lb)[1]
SchoolHaileybury and Imperial Service College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Saracens
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009– Saracens 273 (240)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2010 England U20 20 (5)
2014 England A 2 (0)
2015– England 82 (65)
2017 British & Irish Lions 3 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Early life

George played for local team Hertford Rugby Football Club in his youth,[4] until he was asked to join the Saracens Academy.

George was educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College and captained the Haileybury 1st XV for two years, in Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, while also being a regular for the 1st XV in Y11.[5] He is an Aston Villa fan.[6][7]

Club career

George has played for Saracens since 2009 after training in the Saracens Academy from the age of 14.[8] He had a short loan spell at Southend Saxons in the lower tiers of English rugby in 2008-09, however quickly caught the attention of Bobby Walsh in the Saracens management team to return the following season.[9]

2009–14

In November 2009 George made his professional club debut for the Saracens first team against Northampton Saints in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[10] However this was the only appearance he was to make that season. He continued his development playing for the Saracens Storm in the A league.

The 2010–11 season was George's first season for the Saracens first team. He played most of the season as an understudy to Schalk Brits who he described as "one of the most talented blokes I’ve ever met in my life".[5] In the season he made 20 appearances and scored two tries, helping Saracens to secure a home semi-final in the Premiership. He was an unused substitute in the final as Saracens defeated Leicester Tigers to win their first ever league title.[11]

In May 2014 George was a second half replacement in the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup as they finished runners up to Toulon[12] and the following weekend saw Saracens lose to Northampton Saints in the Premiership final.[13]

2014–18

George started the 2015 Premiership Final, and was the centre of added pressure and attention due to his promotion to the England squad.[5] George responded well and starred during the match against Bath, running in one try from over 30-metres out, and passing the ball to Chris Wyles for his try.[14]

On 14 May 2016 George was a second half replacement in the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup as Saracens beat Racing 92 to become champions of Europe for the first time.[15] Later that month they defeated Exeter Chiefs to complete their first ever domestic and European double.[16]

In the 2016-17 season George started for the side that defeated ASM Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield to retain their European title.[17]

In the 2017-18 season George won his fourth Premiership title with Saracens as they were victorious against Exeter in the final.[18]

2018–22

George started for the team as they repeated their domestic and European double achievement of 2015-2016. They beat Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup final at St James' Park to become European champions for the third time in four years.[19] He then scored two tries in the Premiership final as Saracens defeated Exeter Chiefs to retain their league title.[20]

In July 2020, George signed a new three-year contract with Saracens. However this deal ensured that he would play in the RFU Championship the following season, after his club were relegated following breach of salary cap.[21]

George scored a try in the Championship play-off final as Saracens defeated Ealing Trailfinders to gain promotion and an immediate return to the top flight.[22]

2022–present

George helped Saracens win the Premiership title in 2023, his sixth, starting in the final as Saracens defeated Sale Sharks.[23]

International career

England

George started for the England side that finished runners up to New Zealand at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship.[24] He scored a try against Wales during the 2010 Six Nations Under 20s Championship[25] and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship.[26] In January 2014 George represented the England A team against Ireland Wolfhounds[27] and Scotland A.[28]

On 29 May 2015 George was promoted to England's extended 50-man training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[29] He had replaced veteran Dylan Hartley in the squad after Hartley was suspended for head-butting George in a Saracens vs Northampton Saints fixture.[30] On 22 August 2015 George made his Test debut replacing Tom Youngs in a World Cup warm Up fixture against France[31][32] and five days later he was included in coach Stuart Lancaster's 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[32][33] His only appearance during the tournament came in their final pool fixture against Uruguay as the hosts failed to reach the knockout phase.[5]

In January 2016, George was announced in new coach Eddie Jones' first senior England squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship[34] and on 6 February 2016 made his first tournament appearance as a replacement for captain Hartley in their opening round 15–9 victory against Scotland.[35] England went on to complete the Grand Slam.[36] Later that year George scored his first international try in the final test of their summer tour of Australia to complete a series whitewash.[37] England retained their title during the 2017 Six Nations Championship,[38] missing out on a consecutive grand slam with defeat in the final game away to Ireland which also brought an end to a record equalling eighteen successive Test victories.[38]

George was included in the squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup[39] and scored a try in their opening pool fixture against Tonga.[40] He started all three knockout games against Australia in the quarter-final,[41] victory over New Zealand in the semi-final[42] and defeat to South Africa in the final as England finished runners up.[43]

On 31 October 2020 George scored a try on his 50th cap as England defeated Italy to win the 2020 Six Nations Championship.[44] The following month saw him become the first hooker to score a hat-trick for the England men's team in their opening fixture of the Autumn Nations Cup against Georgia.[45] He also started in the final of that competition as England defeated France in extra-time to win the tournament.[46]

British and Irish Lions

George was selected as a member of the 2017 British & Irish Lions squad.[47] George featured in six matches on the tour including against the Māori All Blacks.[48] The opening Test against New Zealand was his first international start having previously played all seventeen of his England caps coming off the bench, a world record for most tests without a start.[49] George played the full 80 minutes in the second test, setting up Conor Murray's winning try.[50] He started the draw in the final match as the series ended level.[51]

George was also picked by coach Warren Gatland for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.[52] He played in the game against Japan[53] but did not participate in the Test series.[54]

Career statistics

List of international tries
As of 18 March 2023[3]
TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1 AustraliaSydney, AustraliaSydney Football Stadium2016 Tour of Australia25 June 2016Win44 – 40[37]
2 ItalyLondon, EnglandTwickenham Stadium2019 Six Nations9 March 2019Win57 – 14
3 TongaSapporo, JapanSapporo Dome2019 Rugby World Cup22 September 2019Win35 - 3[40]
4 ItalyRome, ItalyStadio Olimpico2020 Six Nations31 October 2020Win34 – 5[44]
5  Georgia London, England Twickenham Stadium Autumn Nations Cup 14 November 2020 Win 40 – 0[45]
6
7
8  Tonga London, England Twickenham Stadium 2021 Autumn International 6 November 2021 Win 69 – 3[55]
9
10  Italy Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2022 Six Nations 13 February 2022 Win 33 – 0
11
12  Italy London, England Twickenham Stadium 2023 Six Nations 12 February 2023 Win 31–14
13  Ireland Dublin, Ireland Aviva Stadium 2023 Six Nations 18 March 2023 Loss 16–29

Honours
England
Saracens

References
  1. "Jamie George player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. "Aviva Premiership Rugby – Saracens". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. "ESPN profile". ESPN. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  4. de Menezes, Jack (25 January 2018). "Jamie George means business on and off the field ahead of Six Nations as England star brings elite treatment to the masses". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  5. Aylwin, Michael (6 November 2015). "Jamie George: The World Cup was very frustrating, we suffered together". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  6. "BBC Radio 5 live - Rugby Union Weekly, Birthday suits and a master chef". BBC. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  7. "Jamie George: Saracens hooker talks isolation, England, team-mates and dogs". BBC Sport. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  8. "Saracens profile". Saracens F.C. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  9. Phillips, Chris (17 September 2015). "England's Jamie George shone while at Southend Saxons". The Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  10. Mail, Simon (5 November 2010). "Jamie George set for first Saracens start against Northampton Saints". Watford Observer. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  11. "Leicester 18-22 Saracens". BBC Sport. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  12. Osborne, Chris (24 May 2014). "Heineken Cup final: Saracens 6-23 Toulon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  13. Hassan, Nabil (31 May 2014). "Premiership final: Saracens 20-24 Northampton Saints". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  14. Bartlett, Rob (30 May 2015). "Super Saracens stifle Bath to lift Premiership title". ESPN. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  15. Standley, James (14 May 2016). "Saracens beat Racing 92 to win first European Champions Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  16. Pilnick, Brent (28 May 2016). "Premiership final: Saracens 28-20 Exeter Chiefs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  17. Standley, James (13 May 2017). "European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  18. Williams, Adam (26 May 2018). "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  19. Mann, Mantej (11 May 2019). "Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  20. Pilnick, Brent (1 June 2019). "Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  21. "Jamie George: England hooker signs new Saracens contract". BBC Sport. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  22. "Saracens 57-15 Ealing: Players 'showed faith in club', says Mark McCall as Sarries promoted back to Premiership". BBC Sport. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  23. "Premiership final: Saracens 35-25 Sale - Sarries win sixth title in Twickenham thriller". BBC. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
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  25. Blanche, Phil (6 February 2010). "Wales youngsters fall to English power". Wales Online. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  26. "Record-setting Baby Blacks take JWC crown". ESPN. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  27. "'A' International: England Saxons 8-14 Ireland Wolfhounds". BBC Sport. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  28. Morrison, Iain (1 February 2014). "Scotland A 16 - 16 England Saxons: Honours even". The Scotsman. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  29. "Dylan Hartley dropped from England World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  30. Schofield, Daniel (29 May 2015). "Jamie George: Who is the man replacing Dylan Hartley?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  31. "France vs England match report". The Independent. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  32. Phillips, Chris (28 August 2015). "Former Southend loanee Jamie George selected in England squad for Rugby World Cup". The Echo. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  33. "Who's in England's Rugby World Cup squad?". BBC. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  34. "Six Nations 2016: Josh Beaumont in new-look England squad". BBC Sport. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  35. Fordyce, Tom (6 February 2016). "Six Nations 2016: Scotland lose 15-9 to Jones' England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  36. Fordyce, Tom (19 March 2016). "Six Nations 2016: England win Grand Slam with France victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  37. Standley, James (25 June 2016). "England beat Australia 44-40 in final Test to complete series whitewash". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  38. Fordyce, Tom (18 March 2017). "Six Nations 2017: Ireland 13-9 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  39. Jones, Chris (12 August 2019). "Rugby World Cup: England leave out Te'o, name Ludlam & McConnochie in squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  40. Fordyce, Tom (22 September 2019). "England 35-3 Tonga: Eddie Jones' side battle to opening World Cup win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  41. Fordyce, Tom (19 October 2019). "England beat Australia 40-16 to make Rugby World Cup semi-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  42. Fordyce, Tom (26 October 2019). "England 19-7 New Zealand: Eddie Jones' side beat All Blacks to reach World Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  43. Fordyce, Tom (2 November 2019). "England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  44. Grey, Becky (31 October 2020). "Italy 5-34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  45. Grey, Becky (14 November 2020). "England 40-0 Georgia: Jamie George scores hat-trick in six-try victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  46. Henson, Mike (6 December 2020). "Autumn Nations Cup: England beat France in sudden death". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  47. "British and Irish Lions 2017: Sam Warburton captain, Dylan Hartley out". BBC Sport. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  48. Davis, Matt (18 June 2017). "British and Irish Lions power to win against the Maori All Blacks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  49. de Menezes, Jack (23 June 2017). "British and Irish Lions 2017: Jamie George hopes Test start sends message to England coach Eddie Jones". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  50. Kitson, Robert (1 July 2017). "Lions win thriller to level series after All Blacks' Sonny Bill Williams is sent off". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  51. Fordyce, Tom (8 July 2017). "British and Irish Lions draw 15-15 with New Zealand as series ends level at 1-1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  52. "British and Irish Lions 2021: Sam Simmonds in 37-man squad but Billy Vunipola misses out". BBC Sport. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  53. English, Tom (26 June 2021). "British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan: Alun Wyn Jones injury mars routine warm-up win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  54. Mairs, Gavin (3 November 2021). "Making Jamie George angry could prove an Eddie Jones masterstroke". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  55. Grey, Becky (6 November 2021). "England 69-3 Tonga: Hosts make rampant start to Autumn Nations Series". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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