Ahead of Maro Itoje's first England start this weekend, we've picked out a few key points on England's fresh-faced second row for you which should help you become more familiar with a player who will no doubt be on England team sheets for many years to come:
- Itoje captained the England Under 20 squad to the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in a 21-20 victory over South Africa.
- Itoje also represented England at under 17 level in the shot-putt.
- He captained the England under 20 team during the 2014 Under-20 Six Nations tournament in which he scored a try in every match, resulting in Itoje being named England's Man Of The Tournament.
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Eddie Jones has announced that Maro Itoje will make his first England start against Ireland on Saturday. |
- The Saracens lock was playing in National One with Old Albanians until he made his Saracens debut in the 2014/2015 season. Since then he has climbed up the ranks at the club and captained the first team and started a European Champions Cup semi-final in his first season.
- Camden-born Itoje started his studies at the same Hertfordshire school as Owen Farrell and George Ford, before finishing his studies at the same school as Billy Vunipola.
- As well as a professional rugby career, Itoje is currently reading for a degree in Politics at the School of African and Oriental Studies.
- He was involved in the school choir and thoroughly enjoys writing poetry. With his family roots in Nigeria, Maro often gears his university studies towards underdevelopment in Africa.
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Itoje captained the England U20 squad to the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship. |
- Itoje has been given the nickname 'FEC' by his England teammates, meaning 'Future England Captain'. He also has the less-imaginative nickname 'mophead' because of his haircut.
- At 6ft, 5in and almost 19 stone, Itoje's mobility allows him to play either at second row or in the back row.
- England's defence coach Paul Gustard has compared the 21 year-old to the likes of Martin Johnson and Paul O'Connell.
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