New England captain Maro Itoje is “world class” but can get “even better” according to head coach Steve Borthwick ahead of the start of the 2025 Six Nations.
The 30-year-old Saracens was announced as the replacement for club-mate Jamie George in charge of the national team earlier this month, and will lead England when they open their Championship campaign away to defending champions Ireland on Saturday 1 February.
I'm talking to Sky Sports at the Six Nations launch on Tuesday, Borthwick said:
“Maro is a world-class player, but he can get even better and add other elements to his game.
“He is a player who thinks deeply about the game, but also plays in a fiercely competitive way. And that balance is a great example for all our players.
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Maro Itoje says he didn't expect the Six Nations captaincy call-up and says the squad will miss Jamie George after news he has been ruled out of Ireland opener
“In every great team I've been involved in, there's always a great group of leaders. With Maro, Ellis Genge as vice-captain, we're developing great leaders.
“My expectations, the expectations of the players and the fans are that we go into every game with a plan to win and the belief that we will win.”
“We have a really good group of players that I have confidence, faith and trust in.”
Itoje: The decision about the captain surprised me
Previous England manager Eddie Jones described Itoje as too 'inside' to captain when he was in charge.
The second-row admits he was caught off guard by Borthwick's call-up, and added the squad will feel the loss of George – who has since picked up a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of England's opener against Ireland.
I was definitely surprised, Itoje said Sky Sports. “Jamie is a brilliant person so I didn't expect that.
Itoje replaced Saracens team-mate Jamie George as England captain and says he was 'definitely surprised'
“I am incredibly honored, grateful and humbled to be asked to play the role.
“Jamie is a quality player and person, so any time you don't have someone like that in and around the group, we will certainly miss him and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Six Nations 2025 schedule: England
- February 1: Ireland (a)
- February 8: France (h)
- February 22: Scotland (h)
- March 9: Italy (h)
- March 15: Wales (a)