Saracens boss Mark McCall says Jamie George should return to full-contact training next week as he prepares to captain England in the Guinness Six Nations.
The 33-year-old will miss Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup match against Lyon on Saturday, as well as the club’s record 55-15 European defeat to Bordeaux-Begles last weekend.
On February 3, England’s Six Nations season begins against Italy in Rome.
McCall acknowledged that George would not be available to face Lyon, but added: “There is nothing to be concerned about.
“He received a neck injection about ten days ago and has recovered extremely well.
“He has been training non-contact this week, so he has been training with the team, and he should resume full contact training next week when he is away with England.
“He has had a stiff neck, which has been causing him some problems and preventing him from scrumping as much as he would want over the week.
“It has settled down completely now, and he will be back into full training next week.”
McCall, for his part, believes George will do a “wonderful job” as England captain when he succeeds his Saracens teammate Owen Farrell.
“He is very emotionally intelligent, he just connects with everybody, to be honest, whether you are the youngest in the squad or the oldest in the squad,” he remarked.
“He has always been a leader; he has always been the glue that holds the team together.
“And when you’re going through a bad time, as we are right now, he’s the type of person you want by your side.
“I’ve known him since he was 17 or 18, and seeing him progress from his senior year of high school to where he is today is quite wonderful.
“To demonstrate his patience when he faced Schalk Brits and John Smit (as Saracens hookers).” Jamie did not become a regular in the (matchday) 23 or a starter until he was 24.
“When he did, he played for England fairly soon, so he is a good example to a lot of young players that you will break through when the time is right.
“He came through with a boom. He’s been on Lions tours, has 80 or so caps for England, and is now captain of his country. “What a career he has had.”
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