FORMER Malpas schoolboy Tom Curry has filled England’s leadership void after being named captain for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield.
The 23-year-old back row becomes the country’s youngest skipper since Will Carling in 1988 and is appointed after injury ruled Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes out of contention.
Marcus Smith has held off the challenge of George Ford to continue at fly-half for the Calcutta Cup clash.
England head coach Eddie Jones said Curry was the natural choice given the options.
He said: “Tom will captain the side for this game and has the respect of the team around him, in Owen and Courtney’s absence.
“He also has the support of the vice captains and other leaders in the team such as Maro Itoje and Ben Youngs.”
Curry and his twin brother Ben, who also plays for Sale Sharks, both attended Bishop Heber School, in Chester Road, where their father David is currently headteacher.
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