Maro Itoje is set to be available for England's crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland after overcoming a bug.
Towering Saracens lock emerged as a doubt for the clash yesterday due to illness, with Wasps’ Joe Launchbury on standby.
However, RUCK sources suggest the second-row is feeling much better and has been passed fit to run out at Twickenham this afternoon.
“It’s a massive game, it’s a hugely important game, and it’s a huge opportunity for us to hopefully show some growth within this team,” said Itoje.
“I always love playing Ireland, love playing their talented team, probably one of the teams in the northern hemisphere that’s had some of the best performances over the past five years or so against big opposition, I enjoy playing them, I enjoy the challenge and everything that comes with it.
“I think they’ve grown as a team. They’re playing with a lot of conviction. They’re a well-organised team and I think they’re just another team in the northern hemisphere that has shown a lot of growth within the last 12 months like a few teams have shown so I think they have progressed well.
“They’re obviously a talented team, a well-coached team, a team that know their detail and how they want to play the game so of course there’s elements of the game previously which we can look at and refer to but they’ve also grown, they’ve also got better in this period so we’re not playing the same Ireland team we played a year ago.”
When is England v Ireland on TV?
England v Ireland will take place on Saturday 13th March 2022.
has launched its first London rugby ‘fan park’ bringing rugby fans together safely to enjoy the historic Six Nations tournament.
ENGLAND vs IRELAND REFEREE:
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Raynal was born in 1981 in Perpignan, Southern France. Part of a successful Junior Perpignan team, they went on to win the French Junior Championships in 1998. However, that was the extent of Raynal’s playing career before choosing to take up the whistle.
Referee, Mathieu Raynal during the Heineken Champions Cup Round 4 match between Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, Gloucestershire on December 14. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
England team to play Ireland
ENGLAND XV 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps) 14. Max Malins (Saracens, 13 caps) 13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 10 caps) 12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) (VC) 11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps) 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 8 caps) 9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 4 caps) 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 64 caps) (VC) 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 50 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 54 caps) 5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 29 caps) 6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 91 caps) (C) 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 39 caps) (VC) 8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
FINISHERS 16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 77 caps) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 18 caps) 19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 caps) 20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 7 caps) 21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps) 22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps) 23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 55 caps)
The other jobs of England’s best Six Nations rugby players
#1. JACK NOWELL - CLOTHES & PUB
The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall. Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere. He is also a director of MUSTARD Clothing
#2. JAMIE GEORGE - PHYSIOTHERAPY
The Carter & George practice clinic, which offers first-class physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, is the joint venture of George and experienced physiotherapist and best friend Rhys Carter.
#3. GEORGE KRUIS - FOURFIVECBD
It was from personal experiences with recovery from injuries that Kruis discovered cannabidiol (CBD) and from their positive reactions with the product he set up fourfivecbd – a range of balms, oils, gels and capsules that incorporates CBD. Their products are now sold in Next and on their website here.
#4.MARO ITOJE - PODCASTER
He launched the podcast series Pearl Conversations, which featured prominent Black role models. He is also a supporter of the educational charity The Black Curriculum, which is focused on introducing more Black British history into the UK curriculum.
He has also done a lot of modelling, which includes shoots for Ralph Lauren and Marks & Spencer this year.
#5. MANU TUILAGI - ALCOHOL
Making a Tuilagi Gin was often talked about in the early hours of the morning by the brothers after many gin and tonics. As there are fifteen players on the rugby pitch, they have added fifteen botanicals to their gin. Some of the botanicals they use in their recipe are; Juniper, Coriander, Orris, Sage, Thyme, Mac cloves, Lavender, Rose and Orange peel.
Maro Itoje will be given every chance to prove his readiness for today's Twickenham tussle as the England camp gave an upbeat assessment on the marauding Lions’ lock who was taken ill on Thursday night.
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