Maro Itoje responds to reports he could leave Saracens on loan
Transfer RumoursSaturday, 19 September 2020 at 09:15
England and Saracens superstar Maro Itoje has revealed he would 'definitely' like to play abroad at some point during his career.
Despite signing a new deas, it’s been reported that the 25-year-old could head to Super Rugby as the best preparation ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa
It’s thought that Itoje could head to New Zealand with Owen Farrell if travel restrictions are removed by then.
“Definitely, I think at some stage in my life I would love to play abroad,” said Itoje.
“I think I’ve had a great life and I think I’m very privileged firstly to play a sport I love and experience the things I do. But experiencing a different culture, a different style, just a different vibe.
“I’ve more or less lived in north-west London for the majority of my life; it’s a lovely place to live and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in England.
“But at the same time it would be nice and great to experience something further down the line at some point.
“I’m fairly open to what the future holds. I don’t really want to pigeon-hole myself into a specific region but when the time is right I’d love to spend at least a season somewhere.
His sole focus this weekend is helping Saracens deliver a ‘statement’ performance in today’s heavyweight European Cup quarter-final at Leinster.
“Nothing’s in place at the moment (for a short-term loan), I have no direct plans of going somewhere at this point in time.
“Saracens have been great in wanting the best for us all and they’ve had that position from the very start.
“With our players going on loan, they have an individual plan for everyone.
“They want the situation that we find ourselves in to work for everyone.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
10 things you didn't know about Maro Itoje
1. His Name
His full name is much more of a mouthful. The lock was born Oghenemaro Miles Itoje in Camden, London on 28 October 1994 to Nigerian parents.
2. Other Sports
As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
3. 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.
4. Dream Dinner Guests
His guests would include a footballer! He told JOE: "I would pick Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Jay-Jay Okocha. He's in there, my Nigerian brother!"
5. 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.
6. Mentor
"Richard Hill MBE – he is a former rugby union footballer who played flanker for Saracens and England and is the England team manager – he's inspirational."
7. What TV does he like?
Itoje loves watching period dramas" Downton Abbey, Mr Selfridge, The Crown – he loves them all.
8. 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.
9. Lions
The youngest British & Irish Lion in the 2017 touring party, Maro Itoje defied his age to appear in all three Test matches of an historic drawn series against the All Blacks.
10. Feminist
He describes himself as a “liberal feminist” and tweeted his disapproval of the Daily Mail’s “Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!” front page (“Sexism of the highest order”).
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