At the age of 30, he has spent a decade almost always linked with the appointment, but never landing it – utterly qualified as an automatic pick in the pack and a wonderful player, but not a better bet than, successively, Dylan Hartley, Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Ellis Genge or Jamie George.
Jamie George axed as England captain with Maro Itoje in charge for Six Nations
Read MoreThe words that leapt out as England’s head coach Steve Borthwick explained his choice on Tuesday were “respect” and “world-class”.
But they have always been associated with Itoje in his 88-cap England career, plus six Tests for the British & Irish Lions, aside maybe from a spell a couple of years ago when he was debilitated by an undisclosed medical problem.
There was a feeling of short-term upset, and Borthwick asking George to step into a breach, when Farrell gave up playing for England after the 2023 World Cup.
The decision to move on from George now may reflect doubt over the chances of the 34-year-old making it to the next edition of the global event – or at least allow the hooker to concentrate on playing for his place against Theo Dan and a rejuvenated Luke Cowan-Dickie.
And while it would not normally be England’s concern, Itoje could use this as a springboard to captain the Lions on tour this summer, which would reflect prestige back onto Twickenham at a time of bad publicity over the running of the RFU.
Itoje replaces Jamie George, who had been in charge since the 2023 World Cup (Photo: Getty)He was famously pictured in the company of Jay-Z, although Itoje has just left the music star’s Roc Nation PR agency for a London company called Ten Toes, whose roster includes England football captain Harry Kane and Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes.
In personal performance, England can expect nothing new from Itoje in the second row: which is to say he almost always brings an iron will to compete and tackle and carry from the first whistle to the last, since he co-captained his country’s Under-20s to a world title in 2014.
A quick perusal of statistics suggests Itoje may have played more minutes than any other senior international player in the past 10 years.
It's time to settle England's No 7 debate - here's who Borthwick should pick
Read MoreIndeed, the main loss of minutes for this man-mountain is to yellow cards: Itoje had two in his last four matches for Saracens, and six for them last season.
When Eddie Jones was England’s head coach up to the end of 2022, he actively questioned Itoje’s ability to lead. There was a hint in there of Jones’s mistrust of a system in which Itoje came through a well-heeled prep school in north London, followed by Harrow.
Itoje has, however, also maintained his reputation of never being dropped by England on form since his Test debut under Jones in 2016.
Playing-wise, again, Itoje’s mighty gallop in a recent win over Bristol, throwing a lavish dummy switch that is a favourite ploy if he gets the chance, fits with Borthwick’s emphasis on “pace and athleticism” in his 36-man squad.
Just when you thought Maro Itoje couldn't get any better, he does this #GallagherPrem @Saracens pic.twitter.com/uaouqzcYbr
It was December 2015 when this correspondent first commended Itoje to captain his country.
So it has taken a long time for England to dot the i and cross the t in the name of Itoje – and still we must wait for the forthcoming Six Nations, and maybe the two years beyond to the World Cup, to see if his main task is stability on a familiarly rocky road, or guiding his team on a new path to glory.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Saracens trick that convinced Borthwick to pick Itoje as England captain )
Also on site :