The 2024 Six Nations is almost upon us as six of the best northern hemisphere teams prepare to battle it out to be crowned the champion of the prestigious tournament. But who will be leading the sides? Here are the Six Nations captains.

The championship comes hot on the heels of last year’s Rugby World Cup, after which a raft of stalwarts called time on their international careers.

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That means we will see some new faces taking on a leadership role this year. Find out who the Six Nations captains are for all six countries below.

Who are the Six Nations captains this year?

Who is the England rugby captain in the Six Nations?

Shockwaves were sent through the sport when it was revealed that Owen Farrell had made himself unavailable for this year’s Six Nations in order to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing. The 32-year-old hit the headlines before the World Cup after a red card he received for a high tackle on Wales’ Taine Basham in a warm-up game was downgraded to yellow by an independent panel.

That decision sparked controversy and a World Rugby appeal, which reinstated his sending off and meant he was suspended for the first two games of the tournament. He was also booed by sections of England supporters despite captaining his side to a third-place finish in France.

Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his support of Farrell’s decision to take a break from international rugby and he has turned to his Saracens colleague and experienced hooker Jamie George.

Who is the France rugby captain in the Six Nations?

France are without last year’s captain after Antoine Dupont decided to skip the Six Nations in order to focus on sevens rugby in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

In Dupont’s absence, La Rochelle No 8 Grégory Alldritt has been selected to lead Fabien Galthié’s side who begin their campaign with a blockbuster clash against Ireland on 2 February.

Who is the Ireland rugby captain in the Six Nations?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup was the final chapter in one of the great careers. Johnny Sexton wore the iconic green jersey of Ireland for the last time in a disappointing quarter-final defeat against New Zealand, leaving the Emerald Isle nation with a giant hole to fill and a new captain to find.

Following his appointment as the 2025 British & Irish Lions head coach, Andy Farrell has named Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony as his new captain for the 2024 championship.

Who is the Italy rugby captain in the Six Nations?

Michele Lamaro is the current captain of Italy after being named as Luca Bigi’s successor by then head coach Kieran Crowley ahead of the Autumn Nations Series in 2021.

Crowley’s contract was not renewed before the end of a poor World Cup campaign in which they suffered heavy defeats against New Zealand and France and in came Gonzalo Quesada in his place.

The Argentine’s first game in charge will be the Six Nations clash against England in Rome, where it is expected Lamaro will still be the captain after he was named in Quesada’s first squad.

Who is the Scotland rugby captain in the Six Nations?

Jamie Ritchie was named as Stuart Hogg’s successor in October 2022 and led Scotland to a disappointing pool-stage exit at the World Cup.

The flanker missed Edinburgh’s 21-20 loss to Gloucester in January with a jaw problem but has been named in Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations squad, however he is not the captain.

Townsend has instead named fly-half Finn Russell and flanker Rory Darge as co-captains for the upcoming tournament.

Who is the Wales rugby captain in the Six Nations?

Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake were named as co-captains for the World Cup but head coach Warren Gatland will be without both for the Six Nations. Flanker Morgan is expected to miss the entire tournament after having knee surgery, while hooker Lake was omitted from the squad announcement after suffering a hamstring injury in the Ospreys’ Challenge Cup victory over Perpignan.

Instead, Gatland has turned to Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins to lead his side.

“We’ve been incredibly impressed with Daf in terms of his professionalism and how he prepares,” Gatland said. “It’s a great opportunity for Daf, he’s captained Exeter on a number of occasions, he’s a well-respected member of the squad.

“I rang and spoke to him and he was absolutely delighted to accept the role and I’m sure that he’ll do a great job and get a huge amount of support from the rest of the squad.”

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