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Stuart Hogg's word of warning for Maro Itoje ahead of star's 'big old decision'
Stuart Hogg has issued a warning to England second-row Maro Itoje regarding his rumoured big-money move to France’s Top 14.
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The Saracens lock is reportedly exploring a lucrative move to France, seeking a staggering £1 million deal. Lyon and Toulon are said to be among the French clubs expressing interest in the towering second-row forward, a move that could see Itoje foregoing not only the chance to represent England but also missing out on donning the iconic British & Irish Lions jersey.
The murmurs of Itoje’s French sojourn raise questions about the feasibility of such a move, with suggestions that his hefty price tag may pose a stumbling block. Sources indicate that Saracens, under the constraints of the new salary cap regulations in the Gallagher Premiership, might find it challenging to accommodate Itoje’s financial demands, especially as the league currently only permits a single marquee player.
Adding intrigue to the mix are whispers of a potential hybrid contract with the Rugby Football Union (RFU). Reports suggest that the RFU is eyeing contracts for 25 players, a strategic move aimed at granting head coach Steve Borthwick enhanced control over key members of the England squad. The unique arrangement would see these players continuing their employment with their respective clubs while simultaneously being tethered to national team obligations.
While the prospect of Itoje donning the colours of a French club brings with it the allure of a substantial financial windfall, it raises concerns among fans and pundits alike about the impact on his international career.
Recently retired Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is one of them.
“The thing you’ve got to look at as well is that yes, financially, you’d be in a very cushty position, if he does go overseas but you’ve got to think of Lions, England caps, World Cups, all these things come into contention,” Hogg told TNT Sports. “It’s not just as easy as saying ‘I’m going to go there, I’m going to grab the money, I’m going to play rugby. He goes to France he will play every single week and he’ll miss out on England caps and potential Lions seasons. It’s not just as easy and plan sailing as all the financial things.
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“It’s a big old decision and only Maro Itoje will know what’s happening,” concluded Hogg. “It’s not exactly a bad place to be in if you think about all the things that could happen. As a rugby fan, we want to still see him playing in the Premiership.”
Where will @maroitoje be playing next year? ?@StuartWHOGG_, @TomMay1 and Craig Doyle share their thoughts on The Rugby Review. #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/9GupXVqKpq
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 26, 2023
The lure of French rugby’s financial clout may force Itoje into a difficult decision, potentially reshaping the landscape for both club and country in the process.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
154 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
173 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
173 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
173 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
173 Go to commentsBen Smith please write up something better than this. The Springboks would have won the world cup if you were 15 men on the field. They would have found a way, they always find a way to beat the All Blacks.
173 Go to commentsWow, there is a lot of “could have” and “ should have” in this waist of time dribble. I love the desperation in this story to search for a glimpse at a silver lining. Here are the facts, NZ was a badly coached and undisciplined shadow of their former glory. They never took the lead in a game they were never going to win.
173 Go to commentsGOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
3 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
173 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
2 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
173 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
173 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
173 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
173 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
173 Go to comments