Maro Itoje vows to push England harder in Six Nations

Newly appointed England captain Maro Itoje is determined to lead his team to greater heights in the upcoming Six Nations Championship, emphasizing the need for harder work and a collective commitment to improvement.

The 30-year-old Saracens lock takes over the captaincy from Jamie George at a pivotal moment for England. Following a challenging 2024, in which the team won only five of their 12 Test matches, Itoje aims to inspire a turnaround.

"I want to serve the squad, serve the country, serve the staff, serve the fans in the role," Itoje stated, highlighting his leadership approach as one rooted in both service and authenticity.

He added, "I just want to bring myself into it, bring the best of myself into it, and build a lot on the great work Jamie has done with the team. Hopefully, I can help bring the best out of my teammates."

England's 2024 season saw narrow defeats in several key matches, including close contests against New Zealand (24-22), Australia (42-37), and South Africa (29-20). Despite pushing their opponents to the brink, the team ended the year with just one victory in their final six games.

Itoje acknowledged the need to break free from this pattern: "We have fallen short over the last year in the final stages of games. While I think we are on a positive trajectory, it requires more to get the outcomes and results you want."

Under Itoje’s leadership, the focus is on increasing intensity across all areas. He stressed the importance of elevating standards in physical preparation, mental capacity, game knowledge, and team relationships to achieve the desired results.

"It encompasses a lot of what we are trying to do. To get to where we want to get to, we need to do more," Itoje said, urging his teammates to embrace a collective effort.

Itoje’s first test as captain will be against defending champions Ireland in Dublin on February 1.