George and Aldritt handed captaincy roles for Six Nations

England and France will have new captains for the Guinness Six Nations, with Jamie George and Gregory Alldritt assuming the respective roles for the upcoming tournament.

With Owen Farrell sitting out the championship in order to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing and Antoine Dupont deciding to focus on the French Sevens side that competes at the Paris Olympic Games later this year, both England and France have confirmed their new skippers.

George, who has previously led the Lions and Saracens, takes the role for the first time, while French head coach Fabien Galthie has preferred 26-year-old Alldritt as captain over fellow back rows Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch, who have both had the armband before and are in the squad.

Alldritt took time off after the World Cup disappointment but returned for his club La Rochelle last month.

England coach Steve Borthwick has named seven uncapped players in the 36-man squad, but their presence is overshadowed by the omission of Kyle Sinckler and Billy Vunipola, two stalwarts of the team for the previous two World Cup cycles.

George has won 85 England caps, plus three for the Lions, and is Borthwick's first choice hooker.

"Last week Steve asked me to be captain for the upcoming Six Nations and I accepted with huge gratitude and enthusiasm," George said.

"I love playing rugby for England. I hope that everyone has seen how much it means to me, I have never shied away from that.

France, who open their Six Nations campaign at home to Ireland on Friday, 2 February, have named six uncapped players in their squad.

Centre Nicolas Depoortere, back row Esteban Abadie, locks Matthias Halagahu and Emmanuel Meafou, out-half Antoine Gibert and scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec could all debut in