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Maro Itoje has a mantra: “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Saracens and England’s Lock can’t quite remember how he first came across those wise words, but in what is now his second career For decades, they have served him well.
For a true Lock polymath there would be enough to distract from his love of African art to his charitable efforts at the Pearl Fund to his passion for politics. But his real obsession, he insists, is rugby – and winning in particular.
“It’s the win that counts,” says the ever-considered and convincing Itoje The Independent. “It’s a great honor to play for England, but I don’t want to be one of those players who just wins a lot of caps. I want to be part of winning teams. That has always been my motivation.”
It’s a charming evening at England’s training base in Girona. At Itoje’s request, we dragged two chairs out into the Catalan sun – a long day is coming to an end, and with the weather less mild to welcome him home, the second row is desperate to get in before the start of autumn enjoy some relaxing rays of sunshine.
Leviathan’s limbs unfurl as he leans back, the castle radiating contentment. It’s been months of personal and professional fulfillment for a player who is back at the top of his game. The start of the Premiership season brought news of his appointment as Saracens captain, an honor he accepted with gratitude. Weeks earlier, Itoje had made his own offer to his fiancée Mimi to prepare their two-part Nigerian wedding for next summer. Over the course of this Autumn Nations Series he will play almost 90 international matches in the England jersey.
After feeling like he was playing with the “handbrake” on due to an undisclosed health issue, Itoje has returned to full, frightening strength over the past 12 months. For someone who is just celebrating his 30th birthday, I think he has accomplished a lot. “I still feel like I can achieve a lot more. Realistically, I want to play until I’m 35 or 36 – and I hope the next five years are the most fruitful.”
The pride he feels in taking over the captaincy of Saracens is clear to see. Much has been said about Itoje the leader, not least by Eddie Jones, who described him as “inward-looking” and unable to relate to teammates off the field in a book he wrote when he was England head coach influence.
They were harsh and unnecessary words then, and even harsher in hindsight. Although Jones’ criticism may have forced others to radically change their behavior or beliefs, the second row has always remained true to itself.
“If you look at the great leaders of the past, what they have in common is authenticity,” he explains. “If you try to be something you’re not or live up to a certain personality, people will see through it. The goal is to be authentic. There are things you improve and work on, just as you would in any other area of your life.
“I tried to be consistent in my behavior regardless of whether I have that title or not. Of course I’m not captain here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have leadership responsibilities.”
With a degree in political science from the School of Oriental and African Studies, Itoje looks at the world with open eyes. He lists six or seven political podcasts he listens to regularly – “I would say The rest is politics is my favorite because I know Alastair Campbell, but they don’t need any support” – and a recent visit to 10 Downing Street only piqued his interest further.
“I will definitely come back – I don’t know in what role yet, but I will come back,” says Itoje with a wry smile. “I will find my way through these doors one way or another.
“Not a day goes by that I am not involved in politics. I enjoy listening to podcasts, even those that don’t fit my politics. It’s healthy to hear how other people think. It’s helpful to go into environments where you might feel a little uncomfortable because you never know who you’ll meet there or where it will lead. Life is a series of sliding doors and it’s good to be open and see what could be possible.”
It’s a short digression because we’ll soon be back to the topic of rugby. Not only are there club and country honors up for grabs this season, but Itoje is also already thinking about next summer and a British and Irish Lions tour that he is keen to take part in. He has worn the scarlet shirt with such distinction on tours to New Zealand and South Africa; A trip to Australia would complete the set.
“Without losing sight of what lies ahead, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an ambition. It is the ambition of every British and Irish player to wear that red jersey. But the most important thing is performance and I have to make sure I’m at the level appropriate for this jersey.
“This 2017 Lions tour, the entire atmosphere and the experience was truly special. It was the closest thing to being a Beatle, it was manic and crazy. I look back on that very fondly.”
At that time, Itoje was still a boy, the youngest member of the tour group. Now he is one of the strong contenders to become leader of the pack. The lock is smart enough to play the politician while I inquire about his captaincy ambitions. “My goal in all of these things is just to play good rugby. [Lions head coach] Andy [Farrell] will make decisions that are right for the team. My goal is to play as well as I can to make sure I’m included.”
The first step towards that goal will come on Saturday against New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham. This is an autumn full of opportunities for England, with the three big bidders from the southern hemisphere all visiting before a final clash with Jones’ Japan. Steve Borthwick’s side have made significant progress in 2024, but this looks to be a crucial autumn to showcase their potential and turn valiant defeats into thrilling victories.
“When you play against some of these southern hemisphere teams it’s a different atmosphere – they’re the teams you really look forward to. Every game is a big game, the Six Nations is huge, but these are special.
“Steve [Borthwick] has high standards. He has these standards because He knows what we are capable of and what we can achieve. I welcome it. I am someone who loves feedback and honesty. I have a lot of respect for coaches who tell it like it is. Steve won’t tell you anything just to cheer you up. He is very determined, very honest and wants the team to get better. We feel like we can be a real team and win tournaments and trophies again.”
So, Maro, the best is yet to come? “Amen.”
