#2. Maro Itoje
A Saracens academy product, Maro Itoje was a new member of the England squad for the 2016 Six Nations, and has since gone on to establish himself as a regular starter.
In 2014, Maro captained England U20 to victory at the Junior World Championship final. Two years later he made his debut against Italy as part of a remarkable run which saw him on the winning side in 26 out of 27 games for club and country. Maro made three Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in 2017 and was part of the squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Born to Nigerian parents, he was schooled at St George’s, Harpenden, the same school as Owen Farrell and George Ford. His cousin is Bath front row Beno Obano.
Maro started the 2014/15 campaign on the fringe of the Saracens side but ended it as a Premiership title winner before lifting the trophy again in 2015/16.
He was named European Player of the Year in 2016. A mainstay in England squads over the past years, Itoje was named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
