Maro Itoje has a confession to make. Contrary to the ever‑increasing body of evidence, England’s brightest talent of his generation does not possess super powers. He says he cannot read minds and as he continues to be held up as the standard bearer of English rugby’s revival – not to mention Saracens’ all-conquering side – being invisible is no longer an option. That is, anywhere other than the classroom.
“I don’t think a lot of [my classmates] know who I am to be honest,” says Itoje, in his final year of a politics degree at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. “I can be fairly discreet, some lecturers and some tutors know [who I am]. It makes life a little bit easier. It’s quite nice to go incognito for a while. Politics is a little bit different to Premiership rugby.”
Anonymity is increasingly difficult for Itoje elsewhere, however. On the pitch he is an immense talent. He has remarkable athleticism for a second‑row: pace, power, lineout prowess and a rare ability to influence matches – his run of 31 consecutive wins when starting was ended by Harlequins last month but he was to the fore in Sarries’ win in Toulon on Saturday, despite 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
At 21 he has a bulging trophy cabinet, is the reigning European player of the year and the sponsorship deals are rolling in. Now he is being lined up by Eddie Jones to solve England’s crisis at openside this autumn which, while disrupting Itoje’s second-row partnership with George Kruis, makes obvious sense.
He has played regularly at blindside and the appointment of the World Cup-winning flanker Richard Hill – his mentor when a teenager – as England’s team manager is only likely to smooth the transition, even if the man himself is none the wiser as to where he will play.
“Unfortunately I can’t really read the mind of the coaches,” says Itoje. “If I could get some Marvel-style talents then I would, but unfortunately I can’t. I’m not really concerned about speculation. I’ve played a number of positions for Saracens and when I was growing up, so I’ll play wherever the coaches pick me.
“Eddie is obviously a very intelligent guy and he is very successful at what he does – he is brilliant in getting the best out of teams he has been involved in. For me he has been great, he has given me what I have needed and provided an environment where I can learn and I can test myself and where I can grow.”
It has been lamented recently that England, who have won their past 10 matches, do not face New Zealand in an autumn campaign where four victories would equal their longest winning sequence, but that does raise the tantalising prospect of Itoje locking horns with the All Blacks for the first time on the British and Irish Lions tour next summer.
Of all the players in contention for Warren Gatland’s squad, none pricks New Zealand’s ears as much as Itoje. Some former Lions have even touted him as a potential captain and while Gatland’s choice is likely to be more conservative, the merits of making Itoje the tour’s figurehead are clear.
Itoje, however, is staying grounded: “Obviously [I want to be involved] but that is so far away. A week in sport is a long time and a season is a very, very long time. So my focus is here and now. By God’s grace I’ll be in the squad for the autumn then hopefully be doing well for England. Those two are my real goals, they are my focus and whatever happens after that happens.”
England have not beaten South Africa – their first autumn opponents on 12 November – since 2006 but the Springboks arrive in disarray, thumped 57-15 by New Zealand this month. Jones has already stirred the pot, labelling them “bullies”, but the sizeable number of South Africans at Saracens means Itoje has an idea of what to expect.
“South Africa are a very proud rugby nation and you notice that when you spend time with the South Africans in our squad,” he says. “They’re very passionate about their rugby and they care a lot. They’re very physical as well.
“Whenever you play for England every game is a big game. We’re very good at focusing on our next task and on our next job. And from an England point of view that’s South Africa.”
It is easy to forget that just 12 months ago, with England’s World Cup squad already back at their clubs, tails between legs, Itoje had not yet made his international debut. But Jones was always swimming against the tide when trying to keep a lid on the hype in February, describing Itoje as a Vauxhall Viva rather than a BMW and questioning the lack of scars he bears.
“I like to think I am getting better. My goal is just to get better,” says Itoje. “I’m young. Hopefully I’ll have a couple more years left in the game so my goal is just to improve year on year and wherever that takes me, we’ll see.” Much more improving and even his classmates will start paying attention.
Maro Itoje was speaking as an ambassador of Vitality. For more information visit www.vitality.co.uk
