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Maro Itoje

Oghenemaro Miles Itoje (born 28 October 1994) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the England national team.

Itoje began his career in 2012 when he signed his inaugural professional contract with Saracens, quickly making his debut the following year. His prowess on the field earned him international recognition as he received a call-up to represent England in the 2016 Six Nations Championship.

Noteworthy achievements include five Premiership titles and three European titles with Saracens. At international level, Itoje has been a key figure in two British & Irish Lions tours, securing nominations for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year thrice. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in England’s success with multiple Grand Slam and Triple Crown victories, solidifying his reputation as one of rugby’s exceptional talents.

Early life

Maro Itoje was born in Camden, North London to Nigerian parents. He attended Salcombe Preparatory School in Southgate, North London at a primary level, before moving to board at St George's School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. At St George's Itoje was first introduced to rugby at the age of eleven, with Maro citing Stuart Mitchell, a local volunteer rugby coach at school and club (HRFC), as being "a massive influence in my formative years. He used to drive me all around the country wherever we had the games." Maro later won a scholarship to Harrow School, a private school in London.

As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at the U17 level in shot put. He studied for a politics degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies in Bloomsbury, London at the same time as starting his rugby career.

Club career

His senior debut for Saracens came in the 2013–14 season, aged 19 when he played against Cardiff Blues in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. He made his Aviva Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers later in the same season. Prior to this he had played for Harpenden RFC at junior level (2005–11), then in the first team at Old Albanian RFC, usually as a lock (second row forward). During his time at Saracens he has won five Premiership titles in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2023, with Itoje featuring in all five finals. He also helped Saracens win the European Champions Cup in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

In the 2015-2016 season Itoje was named European Player of the Year.

International career

Itoje represented England at U18 and captained the England U20 team in the 2013–14 season. He scored a try in every 2014 Six Nations Under 20s Championship game and was England's Man of the Tournament.

Also in 2014, Itoje won the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship with England, co-captaining the side throughout the tournament.

Itoje was called up to the England Saxons squad on 21 January 2015 and made his debut against Ireland Wolfhounds on 30 January 2015.

Itoje was selected for the England 2015 Rugby World Cup training squad and received his first call-up to the senior England squad from new coach Eddie Jones on 13 January 2016 for the 2016 Six Nations Championship. He went on to make his first-team debut against Italy and was named Man of the Match for his performance in the win against Wales on 12 March 2016. England later went on to win the Grand Slam. Itoje also played a starring role in the summer series win against Australia, starting all three Tests.

Itoje was again instrumental in England's defence of the Six Nations title in 2017, this time starting all five games as a blindside flanker rather than his more usual second row.

Itoje was selected for the British & Irish Lions for their tour of New Zealand, being the youngest player named in the 41-man squad, aged 22. He was one of the standout players on the tour, scoring one try against the Maori All Blacks and appearing in all three tests against the All Blacks. The Lions went on to draw the three-game series in the final test.

He was again selected for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, which the tourists went on to lose in the closely fought 3rd game decider. He was again a standout player and was subsequently voted the Lions Player of the series by his peers.

Personal life

Itoje has expressed interests in politics and art.

In 2023, Itoje launched The Pearl Fund, an initiative aiming to gather funds to invest in the education of children in Nigeria, Ghana, and other African countries.

Style of play

Itoje has been described by many as a hard-working player and also as a team leader, with many writers claiming him to be a "star player". He is mobile and agile for a lock forward, with the capacity to get into wide channels, make breaks through his speed, and claim turnovers in the ruck. He is also outstanding in the air, whether in the lineout or open play. Many believe he has no real weaknesses as a rugby player, though some have argued he does give away too many penalties in breakdowns.