'Future is going to be brighter than our past': England's Maro Itoje commits long-term future to Saracens
The Saracens contract situation that has most gripped the attention since their automatic relegation to the Championship for 2020/21 was confirmed in January has been ironed out – England talisman Maro Itoje has committed his long-term future to the club despite much speculation of a move elsewhere.
There had been in initial rumours that he could spend next season on loan at Racing 92 but that was scotched by rival Premiership club executives refusing to bend the rules and suddenly allow Eddie Jones pick overseas-based players for the England Test squad.
There was also speculation that was being lined up for a switch to Leicester, given his England and Lions connections with Steve Borthwick, the new Tigers head coach. That link was also knocked on the head.
And even on Thursday, in the wake of the announcement of Owen Farrell’s contract extension at Saracens, came the story that Itoje and a few other players might link up with a South African Super Rugby franchise next April and May ahead of the Lions tour once England’s 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign was finished.
That notion hit the buffers overnight, the New Zealand rugby union outlining its plans for a new 2021 tournament that would leave the South African teams very much in the lurch.
?? Saracens is delighted to confirm @maroitoje has committed himself to the club!#TogetherSaracens ???
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) July 17, 2020
Away from all that, though, what has been confirmed is that Itoje, touted as a possible Lions captain next year, is standing by Mark McCall’s squad for the foreseeable future, a decision that follows in the footsteps of similar commitments from fellow World Cup final starters Farrell, Jamie George, Elliot Daly and Mako and Billy Vunipola.
“I’m massively excited to be a part of this club,” Itoje said. “I’ve been part of Saracens since I was 14-years-old and we have had some great memories.
“The culture at Saracens is second to none and that is evident for everyone to see. I’m really looking forward to the future; the future is going to be brighter than our past. The future is in our hands and we have the power to shape our own destiny.”
Director of rugby McCall added: “From his early days in our academy to being part of the club’s biggest moments, Maro has been a vital member of the Saracens project and we are thrilled he is committing to Saracens.
“On and off the field, Maro is a diligent, professional and thoughtful individual, who sets the example of what it means to use every opportunity you are given to improve. At 25, it is very exciting to think where he can take his game, this team and our club in the future.”
Itoje has achieved a lot in his career in a short space of time since debuting for Saracens against Cardiff Blues in 2014. His rise from the Saracens academy to the international stage has seen him captain his country to a Junior World Championship title, skipper his club to LV= Cup success as well as being named the 2016 European player of the year.
He has also played a key part in Sarries winning three Heineken Champions Cups and four Premierships, making 119 club appearances to date.
Losing 12 internationals, some for a year, some for good, won't stop Sarries putting out a scary 23 next season in the Championship. https://t.co/f3ILXvrdwB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 12, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
26 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
26 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
26 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
26 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
26 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
26 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
26 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments