With his sights set on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Maro Itoje has achieved almost everything a rugby player hopes to in a career. From over 90 caps for England to being a British and Irish Lions captain, he has dominated on the pitch and has set a shining example of how a world class athlete should conduct themselves being a role model to young rugby players across the world.
Itoje’s introduction to rugby was at age 11 after starting at St George’s School where his talent showed earning him a sports scholarship to Harrow School where he displayed ability on the pitch and in the classroom achieving 3 A’s at A level. Which saw him study politics at the University of London and then complete his MBA at Warwick Business School.
While in school Itoje was part of the Saracens Academy until 2012 where he signed his first professional contract making his senior debut a year later aged 19. The second row quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, rising through the ranks of Saracens helping the team to a period of dominance.
His club career at Saracens has seen him win five premiership titles and three European Championship. He also received the title of European player of the year in 2016. His most recent honor has been receiving the captaincy of the club he has been at since a teenager after the departure of Owen Farrell.
Throughout his international career Itoje displayed excellent leadership skills starting at youth level which lead to him co-captaining England’s U20s to junior rugby World Cup glory in 2014. Only 2 years after that Itoje made his senior England debut against Italy in a Six Nations game.
While playing for England Itoje has been instrumental in multiple Six Nations victories and even a Rugby World Cup final in 2019. He was then named as England captain ahead of the 2025 Six Nations and since that point England have only lost 1 game being their opener against Ireland.
Itoje has completed captaincy as he has been named as the most recent British and Irish Lions captain in his third tour. Being the first Englishman in 20 years to hold the position and the first ever Black Athlete to do so.
It is not only his leadership and talent on the pitch that makes him an excellent role model to so many but also his involvement in off field pursuits. Maro Itoje has founded The Pearl Fund which is a foundation that supports education and opportunity for young people that come from minority or underrepresented backgrounds.
As an ambassador of rugby Maro Itoje not only sets a shining example to players around the world but to everyone displaying the fruitfulness of hard work, grit and determination as those are key to becoming a rugby legend.
By Lewis Lloyd
Leave a Reply