'We'll aim to entertain'

JAMIE George has urged England to draw inspiration from their cricketing counterparts by cultivating own form of 'Bazball! their Steve Borthwick's side launch a new era when they face Italy in the Guinness Six Nations today with George leading a side containing two uncapped starters and three more debutants on the bench.

- DUNCAN BECH

George is at the helm for the first time and the Saracens hooker is stirred by the success of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum in developing a winning cricket team that plays without fear.

The style has been dubbed Bazball, referencing McCullum's nickname and George believes that by adopting similar principles his England can also flourish as the next World Cup cycle begins at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I'm a cricket fan so why would I not take inspiration from what Ben Stokes is doing with the England cricket team?" George said.

"You look at the influence Ben Stokes has on young players, allowing them to go out and perform the way they do, creating an environment to allow that. It's exactly the model that we want.