England vice-captain Jamie George questionable for Six Nations after suffering knee injury for Saracens | Rugby Union News

Jamie George limped off with a hamstring problem at the end of Saracens’ 32-24 Champions Cup defeat at Castres, putting him in Six Nations doubt to round off a miserable week for the England whore.

He was replaced as England captain by club-mate Maro Itoje when Steve Borthwick named his Six Nations squad on Tuesday, then suffered an injury at the StoneX Stadium which put him in doubt against Ireland on February 1.

George broke into Theo Dan’s front row in two attempts in the 55th minute but was forced off in the closing stages as Saracens could not indicate the extent of the damage.

“Jamie has injured his hamstring. We’re not quite sure how serious that hamstring is at the moment,” director of rugby Mark McCall said.

George’s late withdrawal and Toby Knight’s serious knee injury contributed to a frustrating afternoon in north London, where Castres finally won after 21 straight defeats away from home in the Champions Cup.

The defeat was damaging for Saracens, as the defeat saw them go through the round of 16 at home and now have to travel to face Toulon.

“It was a really bad game from us. Castres totally deserved to win the game and we got what we deserved, which is hard to say,” McCall said.

“For some reason our mentality wasn’t quite right and that’s down to me and the coaches. It was a really disappointing day. Castres definitely outplayed us. They were really ready to play.

“We had a lot of the ball but we were poor with it and they defended comfortably against us. Then they scored when they had the opportunities. It was such a disappointing day.

“All 15 players they brought in have played in the last five weeks, just not together.

“It wasn’t a pack of kids, they were real rugby players and we tried to convey that to the team. We just weren’t there mentally.”

Scotland captain Tuipulotu is also a Six Nations player due to a chest injury

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend also faces a sweat ahead of the Six Nations after key duo Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings emerged as injury concerns ahead of the championship.

There are particular concerns over the fitness of captain Tuipulotu, who has suffered a chest injury, with Glasgow head coach Franco Smith hinting – but refusing to confirm – that he fears a lengthy spell on the sidelines for the centre.

The 27-year-old played no part in Saturday’s Champions Cup defeat to Harlequins.

Asked for an update on Tuipulotu immediately after the game, Smith said: “He had an assessment. I don’t know the extent of it yet.

“I think he may have hurt the seal. It was a strange injury. It just happened. We didn’t suspect it, we just wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything serious. But we’ll have more clarity tomorrow.”

Asked how much of a blow it would be if Tuipulotu – who is expected to be part of the British and Irish Lions squad this summer – misses part or all of the Championship, Smith said little to ease concerns that the influential full-back faces a spell on the sidelines.

“It’s not just a player, but as a person and a player in our environment, he brings a lot of confidence to the people around him,” he said.

“So I think it’s going to be a loss for everybody if it’s that serious, but I still think there’s enough of a season for him to contribute, so hopefully it’s not such a serious injury that he’s going to be out for a particularly long time.

“He will go to the Scotland camp and he will also be managed by their medical team, so as a collective all the communication will be done when we are clear about what the outcome is.

“I’ll just say I don’t know right now, let’s see what the score says.”