“Having known Maro since being a really young man, I don’t think it was ever a case of if, it was probably when [he would be England captain],” says Brad Barritt, who played alongside Itoje at Saracens.
It quickly became apparent, though, that Itoje could be a phenomenal rugby player and his remarkable rise peaked this month when he was named England captain ahead of the Six Nations.
Given he is now England captain, it is funny to think that Maro Itoje described himself as a “headless chicken” when first playing rugby.
It is debated whether he was always destined for such a role and former England boss Eddie Jones is one of those who did not see Itoje as captain material.
A key reason why Borthwick was attracted to the idea of Itoje as England captain was because of his physical prowess.
