Itoje replaces George as England's Six Nations captain

Maro Itoje has been promoted to England captain for the Six Nations, replacing Saracens team-mate Jamie George in the role.

Itoje, 30, led England to an age-grade world title in 2014 but only stepped up to skipper Saracens this season in the wake of Owen Farrell's departure.

"I'm at a point in my career where I feel ready to give my all to serve the team and the fans with the captaincy, and also produce my best on the field," he said.

George and Bristol prop Ellis Genge will serve as vice-captains in Steve Borthwick's 36-strong squad.

In-form number eight Tom Willis is called up while Ben Spencer, who started the autumn as first-choice scrum-half, drops out of the squad to make way for Alex Mitchell's return from injury.

Leicester's Dan Cole, 37, is also left out with his clubmate Joe Heyes and Sale's Asher Opoku-Fordjour brought in as tighthead options.

Bath's Ted Hill is selected with his clubmate Sam Underhill set to have surgery on an ankle injury while Harlequins' Cadan Murley comes in to replace Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is recovering from a shoulder complaint.

Oscar Beard and Fraser Dingwall are the alternative midfield options to the first-choice pairing of Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade, with no place for Alex Lozowski.

More to follow.

England's Six Nations squad

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens).

Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).