'This isn't something that is ridiculous': All Access Special Ep1 with Maro Itoje
Trending on RugbyPass
- 1 Erasmus caught using burner account?
- 2 Gatland's second Test Lions dilemma
- 3 Ref Watch: Inconsistent first Test
- 4 Vunipola responds to video clip
- 5 Faf De Klerk's Springbok warning
In the latest RugbyPass All Access Special, Jim Hamilton is joined by Vitality ambassador Maro Itoje, his former Saracens teammate and British and Irish Lions tourist. In episode one of the three-part series, the pair look back down memory lane and go over photos from the 26-year-old’s youth, tracking his evolution from growing up in a household that had didn’t necessarily follow rugby to becoming one of the game’s current icons.
Itoje, who linked up with the 2021 Lions earlier this week in Jersey, explained that his time at Harrow School was a turning point, the juncture where he realised he could make a career out of rugby. He said: “At that point, I started seeing people who were a year or two above me start to get contracts, people that you may have played with or trained with start to get contracts. Then it starts to get very real and starts to feel that this isn’t something that is ridiculous, this isn’t something that is out of touch.”
Itoje didn’t just reflect on his rugby career, though. He also talked about his family and the support they have given him throughout his career to date. After such a unique year, Itoje also said that the pandemic and the lockdown was a period where he was able to look back over his career so far and assess how far he has come since making his Saracens debut in 2013, his England debut in 2016 and his Lions debut in 2017.
“For me, it was a massive period of reflection,” said the 51-cap international, a tally consisting of 48 England appearances and three more Tests with the Lions. “That first lockdown allowed me the time and space to actually look back and take stock of where I actually am.
“It was probably the first time in my career I actually did that because when I was a kid coming up through the academy I would have absolutely loved to be in the position that I am now, so it definitely made me grateful for it.”
- Vitality health insurance, life insurance and investments reward you for being healthy, to help you live a longer, healthier and more financially secure life. #VitalityUK @Vitality_UK
David Havili proving the All Blacks dream is alive and real More often than not, it can take a little bit of time before players really embed themselves into test rugby. Building the All Blacks around Richie Mo’unga’s Crusaders Analysis: The All Blacks are building their attack around the in-form Richie Mo'unga. TJ Perenara the new guide for integrating returning All Blacks TJ Perenara will follow a different path back into the All Blacks than Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick. Ian Foster’s All Blacks vision taking slow steps forward We don't yet have a full appreciation of what Ian Foster is trying to do as head coach of the All Blacks. Cohesion key in Canterbury’s ongoing success Analysis: All signs point to Canterbury marching on in the Farah Palmer Cup. Trending on RugbyPass
More News Recommended
- Training ground incident rules Hamish Watson out of the Lions opener versus Japan
- Warren Gatland on Japan, players voting for leaders & Owen Farrell | Lions Tour 2021 | RugbyPass
- 'Literally walking the corridor growling at people': How Exeter's 4 Lions are preparing
Mailing List
Sign up to our mailing list for a weekly digest from the wide world of rugby.
Sign Up Now