"This is beyond a joke" - Maro Itoje's position in the team branded a "joke"
Rugby NewsThursday, 10 November 2022 at 14:50
Saracens second-row star Maro Itoje starting in the back-row has been branded as a ‘joke’ and a ‘lack of respect for rugby’.
The 28-year-old, who was critiqued for the lack of impact against Argentina last weekend, find himself starting at blindside flanker once again.
Supporters, who have called for Eddie Jones to play his star players in their strongest positions, were clearly not happy with the selection.
"I've never seen Itoje be picked in a World XV at 6. 4 yes but never 6 so not just my opinion," wrote one supporter.
A second commented: "Playing Itoje in the back-row and not playing Jack Willis is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the calls.”
"England rugby selection all over the place youngs still in match day 22 itoje at flank coles dropped after 1 game Farrell still in the centre if you didn’t think it you’d think EJ is trying hard to lose totally crazy selection again this team will never start play again," said a third.
Rugby scribe added: "Every ounce of joy gained by England starting van Poortvliet is deleted by Jack Willis’s omission v Japan. What more can we possibly learn from the Curry/Itoje back row combo? I’m bored of myself typing this, I just feel like England are missing out on a one-of-a-kind player."
When is England vs Japan?
The fixture between England and Japan takes place at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday 12 November and kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT).
How can I watch England vs Japan?
The match will not be available on terrestrial television and like the rest of the autumn internationals will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
Expected England team to play Japan:
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell (VC)
13. Guy Porter
12. Owen Farrell (C)
11. Jonny May
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. David Ribbans
5. Jonny Hill
6. Maro Itoje
7. Tom Curry
8. Sam Simmonds
Finishers
16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Joe Heyes
19. Alex Coles
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Ben Youngs
22. Henry Slade
23. Manu Tuilagi
Warren Gatland's England XV to face Japan
Back-three:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
- 11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath RFC)
Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW?
- In May 2022 Steward was named as the Rugby Players' Association Player's Young player of the year and England men's player of the season
- In April 2017, Nowell was called up for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, becoming the first player to be selected from Exeter Chiefs by the Lions
- Cokanasiga was born in Fiji but before his third birthday, moved to England with his father, Ilaitia, who was in the British Army
Centres:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW?
- He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born
Halfbacks:
- 10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
- 9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
Owen Farrell, Captain of England kicks the penalty during the Autumn Nations Series Match between England and Argentina at Twickenham Stadium on 6 November 2022. Photo: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
Front-row:
- 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
- 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
- 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Genge has developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia)
- Sinckler has represented England at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, and has been a crucial member of the senior team since 2016
Second-row:
- 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
- 5. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks)
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW?
- As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put
- Hill is the nephew of former Rugby league international Paul Loughlin.
Back-row:
- 6. Jack Willis (Free Agent)
- 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- 8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW?
- Curry is the twin brother of Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry, son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading
