'It's a big old decision' - TNT Sports pundits debate Maro Itoje's future amid rampant rumours of Saracens exit

With England star Maro Itoje's contract coming to an end and salary cap constraints forcing Saracens to offer a cut-rate renewal, the time may have come for him to leave Allianz Park.

Reports emerged on Friday that French Top 14 clubs including Lyon and Toulon are interested in acquiring the 29-year-old and would be prepared to offer a £1 million deal.

Speaking after the weekend's round of Premiership fixtures wrapped up, the TNT pundit team of Stuart Hogg and Tom May laid out the case for and against making the big money switch.

May, who spent three seasons in France himself with Toulon, took the pro position.

The twice-capped England winger made the simple, salient point that these are professional athletes and so their wage has to be a paramount consideration.

He said: "These are sums of money that it's hard to turn down. Sporting careers are short. You have to look after your future, your family's. "

May continued, making the point that financial considerations alone would make it a very difficult call for Itoje to make.

He said: "Who could turn down opportunities like that if they're presented? It's difficult."

Having been in a similar position himself, May could speak from an educated position and explained that Itoje would be weighing up every factor: "Anyone that gets frustrated by whatever decision comes out of this has to realise how much would be going through his mind. The pros and cons of leaving a club that has set him up.

"Saracens have put Mario Itoje to where he is right now, along with a lot of hard work he has put in. These are tough decisions for him."

Hogg, who spent his entire career in the United Kingdom, gave voice to the other side of the argument.

The Scotland legend pointed out that while Itoje would be materially better off, he would be making other sporting sacrifices.

He said: "You've got to think of Lions, England caps, World Cups, all these things come into contention. He goes to France and he'll play every single week, he'll miss out on England caps. He'll miss out on potential Lions teams."

Hogg continued, explaining that money would not be the only thing Itoje would have on his mind.

He said: "It's not just as easy as saying 'I'm going to go there, I'm going to grab the money and I'm going to play rugby.' It's not just as easy and plain sailing as the financial things."

The Scotland legend admitted that there are worse problems to have, but underlined the point that only Itoje can make the final call.

He said: "It's a big old decision, and only Maro Itoje will know what's happened. It's not exactly a bad place to be in when you're thinking of all the things that possibly could happen."

Hogg finally made the point that surely echoed with many of the fans watching when he said: "As a rugby fan, we want to still see him playing in the Premiership."

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