Maro Itoje has become one of the most recognisable rugby stars on the planet. However, there are many secrets that fans still don’t know.
MARO ITOJE:
#1. His full name
#2. Family
He is the cousin of Bath’s loosehead prop Beno Obano. Gloucester speedster Ollie Thorley is also Itoje’s cousin, after his grandfather re-married a Nigerian woman who is the Saracens lock’s aunt.
#3. Dating
The current England star writes poetry in his free time and tried his hand at modelling too. Maro starred alongside Amelia Windsor, cousin of Prince Harry, on a sports luxe-themed Tatler shoot for their October 2018 issue. Rumours in the press followed that the pair had begun dating, but this was never confirmed or denied by the second-row.
#4. Nickname
The Saracens second-row is nicknamed ‘the pearl’. He was given the name by one of his teammates at the Christmas social after he wore a cream turtleneck and the name has stuck.
#5. Hobbies
Maro Itoje writes poetry in his spare time, but declined when Farrell asked him to write a poem for him.
#6. Studies
Maro got a rugby scholarship to London Harrow school when he was 11. He then studied for a Politics degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies in Bloomsbury, London at the same time as starting his rugby career.
#7. Football fan
#8. Other Sports
As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
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