New England captain Maro Itoje is “world class” however can get “even higher” in line with head coach Steve Borthwick forward of the beginning of the 2025 Six Nations.
The 30-year-old Saracens lock was introduced as membership team-mate Jamie George’s substitute to skipper the nationwide aspect earlier this month, and can lead England after they open their championship marketing campaign away to defending champions Eire on Saturday February 1.
Chatting with Sky Sports activities at Tuesday’s Six Nations launch, Borthwick mentioned:
“Maro is a world class participant, however he can get even higher and add different components to his sport.
“He is a participant who thinks deeply concerning the sport, but additionally performs in a fiercely aggressive method. And that stability is a superb instance for all our gamers.
Maro Itoje says he didn’t anticipate the captaincy call-up for the Six Nations and says the aspect will miss Jamie George following the information he has been dominated out of the opener towards Eire
“In each nice crew I have been concerned in, there’s all the time an excellent group of leaders. Having Maro step up, Ellis Genge as vice-captain, we’re creating nice leaders.
“My expectations, the gamers expectations and the supporters expectations are that we go into every sport with a plan to win the sport and perception to win the sport.
“We have got a very good group of gamers that I’ve belief, religion and confidence in.”
Itoje: Captaincy resolution shocked me
Itoje was described by earlier England head coach Eddie Jones as too ‘inward-looking’ to make captain throughout his time in cost.
The second row admits the decision by Borthwick caught him off guard, and added the lack of George – who has since suffered a hamstring harm and been dominated out of England opener towards Eire – will likely be felt by the squad.
“I undoubtedly was shocked,” Itoje instructed Sky Sports activities. “Jamie is an excellent particular person so I did not actually anticipate it.
Itoje changed Saracens teammate Jamie George as England captain, and say he was ‘undoubtedly shocked’
“I am extremely honoured, grateful and humbled to be requested to do the position.
“Jamie is a top quality participant and particular person, so every time you do not have somebody like that in and across the group, we’re undoubtedly going to overlook him and we want him a speedy restoration.”
Six Nations 2025 fixtures: England
- February 1: Eire (a)
- February 8: France (h)
- February 22: Scotland (h)
- March 9: Italy (h)
- March 15: Wales (a)
