Tom Curry leads pack to be England’s Six Nations captain against Scotland

Tom Curry has emerged as a leading contender to be named England captain on Thursday and been given a ringing endorsement by the Sale director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, to solve Eddie Jones’s leadership crisis against Scotland.

At 23 years old Curry would be England’s youngest captain since Will Carling but he has long since been earmarked for the role and, with both Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes out with injury, he has been widely tipped to lead the side.

Curry has assumed the responsibility in recent matches when neither Farrell nor Lawes have been on the field and though Jones has delayed naming a replacement until two days before England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield, Sanderson says the Sale back-rower is ready to make the step up.

Curry was on Wednesday among a group of England players to put the Duchess of Cambridge through her paces at Twickenham following the announcement she would be taking over as the Rugby Football Union’s patron. She was greeted by Lawes – a strong sign he will assume the captaincy when he is fit – while other options for Saturday include Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje and Luke Cowan‑Dickie.

Jones has also named co-captains in the past and he and his coaches have stressed the need for players to share the responsibility in the absence of Farrell and Lawes.

“It’s huge for Tom,” Sanderson said. “He has grown into that role and he seems to be relishing it, if he does get the captaincy. When he came back off the Lions [tour] there was talk about his leadership qualities and it was in the air then.

“He is 23 years old with the potential and the mastery of the game that he has got this is one of those things; how can he get better? This is the one area in terms of leadership where