SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 25 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Maro Itoje: 'England are only just getting started'

:Headline: Maro Itoje: 'England are only just getting started': ID:420701: from db_amp
The Saracens lock is excited by England's potential for future success.

Maro Itoje reflects on England's 2020 Guinness Six Nations triumph by declaring their potential is only just starting to be realised.

One year after a shattering defeat to South Africa in the World Cup final, Eddie Jones' men have rebuilt by edging France on points difference to claim a third tournament crown in five years.

Next up is the Autumn Nations Cup, which replaces the customary end of year tours undertaken by the southern hemisphere giants, but the longer-term goal is France 2023.

"We're only just getting started in terms of where we think we can go," said Itoje, who was outstanding in Saturday's 34-5 victory over Italy.

“We're only just getting started in terms of where we think we can go”
- Maro Itoje

"We've won this tournament and have been reasonably successful in the past, but the exciting thing for us is where we can go and where we can take everything.

"We have a group of guys who are unbelievably committed and love playing for England.

"Our win against Italy is the first time we've played together for a while. It wasn't the smoothest of games, but it's a great foundation for us to progress from."

A mantra of Jones has been for England to inspire the country as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and Itoje knows the powerful role sport has to play in offering comfort in dark times.

"For us to put smiles on people's faces we just need to play good rugby, conduct ourselves in the right manner, and win for England," Itoje said.

"If we win for England people are genuinely happy. The world is here, there and everywhere at the moment. A lot of things aren't straightforward.

"Sport has the power to unite people, sport has the power to put a smile on people's faces, sport has the power just to lighten the mood a little bit when people are going through tough times.

"If us, as an England team, can do that, that's one of the greatest things we can do."

Itoje reforged his age-grade second row partnership with Jonny Hill, the Exeter double winner who made a highly promising debut at the Stadio Olimpico that was only marginally tarnished by a yellow card for an arm to the head.

Jones believes that Hill can be the answer to England's search for a successor to George Kruis, the 45-cap line-out master who is departing for Japanese club rugby.

"George is a great player. He left the jersey in a better place than when he picked it up. He's a great line-out operator, he's good around the park and I have a lot of respect for him," Hill said.

"But I don't want to be a George Kruis, I don't want to be a Geoff Parling. I want to be Jonny Hill – the best version of myself – and put a different twist on the shirt.

"I'm really honoured to have the first shot at the shirt and I am going to try and put it in a better spot."

amp_article__420701 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-01 17:26:49:
html db last update - 2020-11-01 17:26:49 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Maro Itoje

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .