England star Maro Itoje "proud" as cousin makes Arsenal debut

Speaking ahead of England’s opening Quilter Nations Series match this weekend, Itoje admitted he wasn’t in the stands to watch the game but could hardly hide his excitement.

“I unfortunately did not,” Itoje said when asked if he went to the Emirates. “I don’t know if it is clear for everyone but my little cousin, Andre Harriman-Annous, made his first start for the Arsenal first team last night and they won so that’s incredibly exciting. So no I did not make it, but I am incredibly proud, very happy for him.

"He has worked incredibly hard over the last ten years. They start so young, these footballers. I remember going to his house and his older cousins were putting him through his paces as a seven year old. I remembered thinking this is quite intense. Everyone is really happy and really proud.”

Itoje laughed when asked whether Andre’s breakthrough means he’s no longer the family’s star athlete.

“It really does. I have passed the baton,” he said. “I guess we need you media guys to do a better job for us and get some more of the back pages. I want him to fly. He has done amazingly well and long may it continue – not only because he is my cousin but I support Arsenal. It is a double whammy.”

Would the pride be the same if his cousin had been wearing a Tottenham shirt? Itoje didn’t hesitate: “It would not be as good. I would still be happy for him, but it is the wrong side of North London.”

Having come through the ranks himself as a young rugby prodigy, Itoje said he’s tried to pass on some lessons about professionalism and mindset rather than the technical side of sport.

“It is all about mindset and the mentality,” he explained. “Obviously, I have not spoken to him about anything regarding football. That’s not my bag.

"I would not even advise him to listen to me in that regard but in terms of being a professional and in terms of how one organises their life and in terms of the mindset and mentality to training and improving and the dedication and consistency which is required, I think all of those things are definitely applicable and transferable. We have had a few conversations over the years in that vein.

“To be honest, he is a really good kid. I think with football especially – and it is the same in rugby – with the money at play, the attention and the spotlight it can be quite a tricky space for a young person to navigate but so far he has done great. His mum has been amazing and is making sure there’s a good team around him.”

While his cousin’s football journey takes off, Itoje has his own big moment coming this weekend. The 31-year-old will captain England on Saturday when they face Australia at Allianz Stadium in their first Quilter Nations Series fixture.