'It's all about what's in the best interest of the team' - Itoje opens up on Borthwick's England
Maro Itoje made his England debut against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations
©INPHO/James Crombie
Maro Itoje has enjoyed working alongside both familiar and fresh faces in recent weeks.
In particular England head coach Steve Borthwick, who was involved with Saracens as a player during Itoje’s early days at the club, and then with England as assistant coach up until 2020.
The former second row has reinforced the need for clarity and simplicity in the way England play.
Itoje said: “What Steve is trying to do is simplify a lot of our game. He wants us to be really clear. He wants to keep it relatively simple but give us the space to express ourselves and let us be accountable in our roles on the pitch.”
“He talks about us doing the right thing for the team. Whatever that is, whatever is right for the team. If it's for you to run, then run. If it's for you to pass, then pass. If it's for you to find space, find space. If it's the right thing for the team to kick, then kick. It's all about what's in the best interest of the team,” he added.
Borthwick’s wealth of playing experience has been invaluable to Itoje, who was previously coached by him when he was England’s assistant coach.
“As a lineout caller that was Steve's bread and butter as he was playing. There have been numerous things that we've had in our discussions about things like what I'm looking at, the cues that I can pick up in terms of people's body positions in the line. As well as things outside but that's probably the obvious one.”
In addition, Borthwick’s career as a player is one that many in his squad can relate to, in both the highs and lows of the game.
“He's been a player and almost experienced every part of being with England. He's experienced being captain, he's experienced being the starting second row, he's experienced being dropped, he's experienced sitting on the bench. His experiences can relate to pretty much everyone within the squad in certain respects. He's incredibly detailed. He is very clear and very insistent on standards. He's been good.”
Former club teammate Richard Wigglesworth who was part of the Leicester Tigers team that beat Itoje’s Saracens in last year’s Premiership final will be joining the England set-up as assistant coach in the coming months.
Itoje was full of praise for the recently retired scrum-half who won seven Premiership titles as a player.
He said: “I have a great relationship with Wiggy. Throughout my time at Saracens especially when our times coincided he was a great help and support for me. He's a very sharp individual, very smart and he's a true competitor. He's about 50 years old but I can promise you he's still the fittest man at Leicester, even though he's head coach. He's really competitive and when that time comes I'm sure it will be good for the team.”
In recent weeks, Itoje has also enjoyed the chance to catch up with another former Saracens teammate, George Kruis, who has returned from the Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights after announcing his retirement.
“I've seen George each of the last three/four weeks. He's been offering his helping hand. I have a brilliant relationship with Kruiso. He's had a big influence on me throughout my career, especially in the early days when we were playing together we had a great relationship and understanding of one another,” he said fondly.
Being in an international camp environment allows players to forge connections with those from other clubs.
Itjoe has been relishing the opportunity to develop his partnership with young engine room compatriot Ollie Chessum.
“He's been great. He's very diligent. He's here with his younger, bigger brother [Lewis] at the moment. He's a sharp guy. He's diligent around the lineout. He's playing well,” he mentioned.
“I've enjoyed these past two weeks, I've played with him before but I've probably racked up the most minutes with him over the last two weeks. Our relationship is building. Our understanding of one another is building.
"Hopefully, we'll be given the time to continue to develop that relationship and it'll get better and better. A lot of these things is spending time with each other and learning how each other think. It makes those movements or that relationship on the pitch almost seem seamless. That's what we're working on,” he added.
