It has not been plain sailing all the way, because the Saracens lock suffered a rare dip in form in the year leading into the 2023 World Cup, and this gave rise to speculation that he had contracted an illness – although no details were made public. Even so, when Itoje has been below par he has still operated at a higher standard than most Premiership players, and his solid contribution to Saracens winning their sixth English league title last season proved the point.
Despite being part of England’s Six Nations and World Cup warm-up slumps, Itoje rediscovered his mojo during the tournament, and helped the team to eventually make the most of being in the weaker side of the draw.
Itoje played a significant part in giving South Africa a nasty jolt in the semi-finals, including eclipsing his old adversary, Eben Etzebeth, to the extent that the Springbok bruiser was benched just after half-time.
The good news is that Itoje’s revival has continued strongly since his return to Premiership action. There is also no question that his track record as a Test Lion in 2017 and 2021 – as well as his credentials as a Junior World Cup-winning England U20 captain in 2014 – puts him on a higher captaincy trajectory than rivals like George Ford, Ellis Genge, and Jamie George.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 03, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 03, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
