Introduction
Oghenemaro Miles Itoje (born 28 October 1994), known professionally as Maro Itoje, is an English professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock or as a blindside flanker for English Premiership club Saracens and the England national team. He signed his first professional contract with Saracens in 2012, and made his first appearance the following year. He received his first-call up to the England team in 2016 ahead of the annual Six Nations Championship, and became a firm favourite to both Saracens and England fans.
So far in his rugby career, he has won four English Premiership titles with Saracens, three European Rugby Champions Cup titles, and two Six Nations Championship titles.
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 St George's School, Harpenden, a state boarding school in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and later Harrow School, a public school in the outer reaches of Greater London.
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. As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
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). In 2016 he led Saracens to victory in the European Champions' Cup final against Racing Metro '92 with a final score of 21–9, picking up the Man of the Match award.
In the same 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 with England won the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship co-captaining the side throughout the tournament.
Itoje was called up to the England Saxons squad on 21 January 2015and made his debut against Ireland Wolfhounds on 30 January 2015.
Itoje was selected for the England 2015 Rugby World Cup training squadand 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 at blindside flanker rather than his more usual second row.
Itoje was selected for the British and 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.
International tries
- As of 28 October 2019
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Africa |
Johannesburg, South Africa | Ellis Park Stadium | 2018 Tour of South Africa | 9 June 2018 | Loss | 39 – 42 |
| 2 |  Ireland |
London, England | Twickenham Stadium | 2019 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Match | 24 August 2019 | Win | 57 – 15 |
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 although arguably he does give away too many penalties in breakdowns.
Career honours
Saracens
- 2014-15 LV Cup champions
- 2014–15 English Premiership champions
- 2015–16 English Premiership champions
- 2017–18 English Premiership champions
- 2018-19 English Premiership champions
- 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup champions
- 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup champions
- 2018-19 European Rugby Champions Cup champions
England U20s
- 2014 IRB Junior World Championship champions
England
- 2016 Six Nations Championship champions (grand slam)
- 2017 Six Nations Championship champions