England hooker Jamie George to miss Six Nations opener against Ireland

LONDON (AP) — Hooker Jamie George will miss England’s visit to Ireland to open the Six Nations next week after he injured a hamstring last weekend.

The former captain was hurt on Sunday in Saracens’ Champions Cup home loss, and the English Rugby Union said on Tuesday he will not be available on Feb. 1 for the Six Nations opener in Dublin.

It was an attritional weekend for England players: Northampton lock Alex Coles, Leicester scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet and Harlequins No. 8 Alex Dombrandt were also injured and ruled out of the Ireland game.

Northampton scrumhalf Alex Mitchell sustained a knee issue on Saturday but was taken to England’s pre-tournament camp in Girona, Spain, which started on Tuesday.