Maro Itoje commits to England until at least 2027, says stepping away would 'eat me up inside'

Maro Itoje says it would “eat me up inside” if he could not play for England by moving to an overseas club, and wants to play international rugby until at least the end of the 2027 World Cup.

The lock’s Saracens team-mate Owen Farrell has agreed to join Racing 92 this summer, which could end his international career as players who are based overseas are not eligible for England selection.

Itoje, 29, and the new England captain, Jamie George, are the first players to sign a hybrid contract with the Rugby Football Union, earning roughly £160,000 a year on top of their club salaries.

Itoje, who is with the England squad in Girona while they prepare for the upcoming Six Nations, is reportedly wanted by a number of French sides - including Racing 92 - but he plans to stay in the Gallagher Premiership.

“Lord, you really can’t take these opportunities for granted,” Itoje told The Times.

“At the bare minimum I want to be at the next World Cup. I obviously want to play for the Lions, put myself in position to be selected.

“Being at this last World Cup was an amazing experience. The passion of the fans, the atmosphere, buzz, excitement. It’s a drug that it’s hard to stay away from so I would love the opportunity to do that again.

“To play for England as a competitor, it’s the greatest opportunity for me to shine. It’s the greatest opportunity for me to fully express myself and express my competitive juices. It’s well and truly an honour.

“You can get used to how things can go. At every Test since Covid, when we were playing behind closed doors, I look around as I sing the national anthem and I think to myself, ‘Wow, this is special. Not many people get to experience this in the way that I’m experiencing this. This is well and truly a blessing’.

“So if I was to step away from playing English rugby, playing for England now, I know a part of me would be eaten up inside.”

England head coach Steve Borthwick has picked a new-look squad for the Six Nations following Courtney Lawes’ international retirement and Farrell’s decision to prioritise his mental wellbeing.

Itoje feels there is an “exciting path” ahead for the national side and thinks they could be a contender for trophies in the years to come.

“The players who are coming through fill me with huge confidence,” he said.

“I want to be a part of a new journey, create new memories. And that’s what we want to do here with England — you want to create new memories and be part of a new journey. We want to have our stamp on English rugby.”

England begin their Six Nations campaign against Italy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, February 3.

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