Yahoo Sports George a brilliant England captain - McCall
Jamie George was a brilliant England captain and doesn't need the title to lead, says Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
Maro Itoje has replaced Sarries team-mate George as skipper ahead of the Six Nations, with the hooker and Bristol Bears prop Ellis Genge serving as vice-captains in Steve Borthwick's squad for the tournament.
England begin their campaign away to Ireland on Saturday, 1 February.
Lock Itoje, 30, replaced Owen Farrell as Saracens captain when the fly-half moved to Racing 92 last year.
"Jamie has I think been a brilliant captain for his country. And I suppose when you get news like that, there's always gonna be different emotions," McCall told BBC Radio London.
"But disappointment is obvious - especially when you hear it less than 24 hours before it's announced and it takes you a little bit by surprise."
'Itoje knows to lead by his actions'
Borthwick's squad included six Saracens players - Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Tom Willis, Elliot Daly, Itoje and George.
McCall said despite the disappointing news, George been the same "phenomenal team-mate" in Saracens training.
"Jamie George has never had to have the label or the badge of captain to be a good leader," he added.
George and Itoje have been part of three winning England squads at the Six Nations - including the Grand Slam in 2016 - and reached the final of the 2019 World Cup.
"I think Maro always knows that the best way for him to lead is by actions - lots of important actions and game-changing actions," McCall said.
"He's done that for years and he knows that the key to his leadership is what he does on the field."
'Castres' biggest game in their European history'
Before the players report for international duty, Saracens host Castres Olympique in a crucial European Champions Cup Pool C match on Sunday.
Sarries sit third, one point above Castres and one point below leaders Northampton Saints after three matches.
McCall said "in many ways, it's a knockout game" with the winner set to secure a home tie in the last 16.
"This is probably the biggest game in their European history. They've done some phenomenal things in the Top 14 in the last 15 years or so," McCall added.
"I don't think they've ever reached the knockout stage of the Champions Cup and they get the chance to do that this weekend if they beat us at home - they'll get a home tie in the last 16.
"So they'll be coming all guns blazing and their best team's a very good team that's beaten Toulouse this year, that's beaten La Rochelle, and that's beaten Munster and Bulls in this competition so we know how good they can be."
