MaroItoje

Maro Itoje cemented himself as one of the world’s best players with a stellar Tour of South Africa on his second outing with The British & Irish Lions.

Itoje was voted Player of the Series by his teammates after three outstanding performances in the second row against the Springboks. 

The Saracens ace was named man of the match in the victorious first Test as the Lions delivered the first blow in Cape Town, winning 22-17.

Although the next two Tests ended in defeat, Itoje was still a stand-out across both sides while partnering captain Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room.

As one of the rising stars in world rugby before the 2017 Tour to New Zealand, much was expected of Itoje in the red of the Lions. 

Lesser players could have wilted under such pressure but Itoje thrived, forcing his way into the Test team despite being the youngest member of Warren Gatland’s touring party.

He went on to appear in all three Test matches as the Lions came from behind to secure a historic draw against the All Blacks, with the then 22-year-old one of the standout performers. 

Born in Camden and educated at Harrow School, Itoje came through the ranks of the Saracens academy before making a name for himself on the world stage at lock. 

He captained England Under-20s as they won a Grand Slam and the Junior World Championship in 2014 and has not looked back since, only adding to his trophy cabinet.

A four-time Premiership champion with Saracens - in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, Itoje has also won three European Champions Cups and three Six Nations titles in his short career. 

He made his England debut in the 2016 Six Nations, going on to feature in four of his country’s five games as they clinched the Grand Slam under Eddie Jones. 

Itoje played a key role in England’s 18-match winning streak that equalled the All Blacks record, backing up their Championship clean sweep with a series whitewash against the Wallabies. 

And there was more of the same in the 2017 Six Nations, Itoje showcasing his versatility by lining up in the No.6 jersey for his country as England made it back-to-back Championship crowns. 

Having enjoyed double success with Saracens in 2019, he was also part of the England squad that reached that year’s Rugby World Cup final and won the 2020 Six Nations.