Yesterday the England squad to face Tonga in the three test series was announced with George Williams one of the key men to make the headlines.
As captain it would be no surprise to see the Warrington Wolves man included, however the playmaker is banned for two of the three test matches and some had feared he could miss all three given his documented appeal.
Whilst Williams did appeal the two match ban and was unsuccessful, it wasn’t the type of appeal that can be deemed frivolous and therefore punishable by extra games, meaning Williams will be available for the third and final Tonga test.
Who will replace him in the halves is one question but the question of who will replace him as captain has seemingly been removed from the equation with the Warrington man speaking to NRL.com and clearly explaining his role as captain.
“I’ve still got a job at hand to be a leader,” Williams told NRL.com.
Explaining what was expected of him and how he’d go about his work, Williams detailed the key off-field role he’d be undertaking.
“Within the group there’s some young lads… get around them, make them feel involved, help them where needed and still drive training standards.
“(I’ll) speak in meetings, still be influential about the place and do what captains do.”
We are still waiting to see who is given the on-field captaincy duties but among those in contention you’d expect to see Wigan Warriors skipper Liam Farrell, and fellow second-rower John Bateman.
Farrell has just guided Wigan to a League Leaders Shield and Grand Final double in his first year as club captain and he boasts a wealth of experience.
Meanwhile Bateman is the only man other than Williams in the squad to have skippered England before, doing so against France in 2021, and he’s also taken the armband at Wests Tigers this season despite being in his debut season with the side.
Williams will be on the sideline when England host Tonga in game one at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday, however he’ll be gunning to be back for what could be the decider in the third test.
