It only lasted 20 minutes, but what statement Jamie George made in the victory over France. After losing the captaincy of England and losing the beginning of the six nations, his response demonstrated his lasting value as a “idol” talisman.
Those who know him didn't expect anything less. Now, after having surpassed Dylan Hartley to become the most covered prostitute in the country with 98, the 34 -year -old man is emerging towards a century of evidence. The only debate is about the precise terms of his role, instead of whether he has a role.
In difficult circumstances, his resistant spirit and disinterest have highlighted. On the eve of appointing his training team of the tournament last month, Chief coach Steve Borthwick informed George that his one -year period as a captain ended, with Maro Itoje to be elevated in his place. Five days later, the veteran suffered an injury to the calf in a match of the Champions Cup, which meant that he was discarded from the first match against Ireland in Dublin.
George was injured in more than one sense, but recovered in an impressive way. After having secured Borthwick that it was a fast healer, he recovered the full physical state earlier than expected and was accelerated back to day 23, ahead of the colleague of the Rookie Club Theo Dan. Then, with Le Crunch in balance, George added energy and energy, precision and nous from the bank.
When England snatched a dramatic 26-25 victory over the title's favorites on Twickenham on February 8, Mako Vunipola was on a social excursion with his teammates from Vannes, as the only jubilee spectator in the room, surrounded by abused French . After having formed a front row alliance with George for so many years, for the Saracenos, England and the Lions, the support offered a resounding tribute.
“He showed his experience and quality as a player to come and stabilize the ship,” said the eldest of the Vunipola brothers, both playing throughout the channel. 'Jamie brought calm to the situation. He pushed the boys on the line.
Jamie George dealt with many setbacks before a ball was launched at the six nations of this year
George lost the captaincy of England with the teammate of the Saracenos, Maro Itoje, happened it
The 34 -year -old was injured in the accumulation of his first game with Ireland and lost it.
Given the double set of setbacks he had suffered in the painful month of January, what George did was a tribute to his resolution in adversity. “Shows the character of man,” Mako said. 'He really enjoyed the responsibility of being captain of England and it shows that he was proud of that. He would have been destroyed, but he is first a man of the team and you can see that in how he has responded.
What was evident in England's last departure was the way George added leadership influence on the last quarter, at a time of bets and high tension. Leaving aside his frustration for losing captaincy, it was a reassuring presence, offering information to support Itoje.
“Nothing will change,” Vunipola said. 'There is no ego there (with George) and both have great mutual respect. They work well together and there is a reason why they have been Captain and Vice-Capitán before, but now it has only changed. They work together in the piece, but also throughout the field and in the way they communicate, which can only help the team.
Back in Sarracens, what they saw was a favorite son who once again set out to take advantage of the best of a difficult situation. He stayed with them to go through the rehabilitation process when he was supposed to be in northern Spain with England, preparing for a seismic encounter with Ireland. But George did not allow himself to revolted, since according to someone who tried much worse in February of last year, welding through the six nations despite the death of his beloved mother, Jane.
“If we look at the calendar year, since he discovered that he was no longer going to be a captain of the previous year, when he was given the captaincy, he lost his mother shortly after that,” said Mark McCall, director of Rugby Saracenos. 'There were revealing signs of what kind of person it is, after that, to show the resistance and leadership he made at a difficult time for him and his family. It was really amazing.
'Fast advance for a year and obviously had some bad news again, but for those people in the club, you would not have known for a second that had given him bad news. That is always the test of a player, how they deal with adversity and how they are around the place. Jamie always makes the decision to follow the positive route.
'Even when he was recovering from an injury in the week that England was playing as Ireland, he made a week of complete training with us and helped prepare the team for our first premium of the Premce Jamie did everything he could. He was very vocal at meetings and really supported younger players; advise and guide them.
'To be honest, in that week, no one would have blinked if Jamie had just run and some individual work, to demonstrate his physical condition and return to the camp. But he didn't do that; He became a full training week and helped out.
George returned from an injury quickly and played a key role from the bank in a victory over France
The 34 -year -old was a photo of happiness after his 98 cap in England ended in a brilliant way
Within the Rose Camp, there has been a deep admiration for a popular figure. After the close defeat against Ireland, Borthwick spoke about an experience deficit, so George was exactly what he needed in that sense, but the way he has managed lately has resonated within the England team.
To another of the contingent of the Saracenos, Ben Earl, he was asked how his clubmate has returned and said: 'Incredible. Truly inspiring in terms of the difficulties he has had in the last one for a long time. Add not to be at the beginning of the campaign, and how complicated it must have been for him, I thought his performance changed the game. Simply oozes class.
'I am very, very happy for him and I hope he continues to be an idol for me and for others, how to take you around a group and how to lead. You remove a role from someone like that and don't change who they are, they still lead. It is inspiring.
Now, the intrigue is where George goes from here, at an age and in a wear position where longevity is not expected. Will you adopt the possibility of a change of roles, in an influential called “finishing” from the bank, or will strive to usurp Luke Cowan-Dickie and claim the starting point?
McCall said: “It is the best of both worlds, since it is competitive enough to want to start and play the role more possible, but also humble enough to think that if what Steve and the team need is to leave the bank He can also do that job.
'Age is not what you look now. It's about hunger and ambition, and Jamie still has that hunger and ambition, sure. It is two of 100 caps to England, which tells its own story about a front -row striker.
There was a fascinating perspective of Mako Vunipola, which addressed a problem of perception. George is widely considered and loved as one of the good types of sport, but that disguises the fire that burns inside. It is driven, to some extent that it denies the exterior great.
George and England teammate, Ben Earl (left) has described it as an “icon”
The chief coach of England, Steve Borthwick (center) has to decide whether to start George against Scotland or bring it as a replacement
“You do not confuse the fact that it is a good guy with him relaxed in terms of wanting to compete,” said his head loose. 'He has an inner advantage over him. Jamie will always fight to start. I am sure that it will be in the training field trying to push, improve and demonstrate that the first choice prostitute should be.
'He is actually ridiculous; Naturally very in shape and also very competitive. He doesn't want to be beaten in any of Fitness things. You can see that in how many minutes he plays, but also in the speed he can recover from the injuries, as he did this time.
'There are not many games that I can remember for England or the Sarries when it has not been available due to an injury. That is a testimony of how he recovers and takes care of the game. Not many 34 -year -old can say that they are still playing high -level international rugby, especially in the front row. That is credit for your work ethics.
George is back, emphatically, without flinching for the last setbacks he has had to overcome. Now, the task is to continue benefiting Borthwick, Iteje and England with the impact of their wisdom and that motivating fire that still burns inside, whether it is using no 2 or 16.