Maro Itoje Reflects on Surprising Summer Break from England Duty

Maro Itoje, the captain of the England rugby team, expressed surprise when head coach Steve Borthwick suggested he take the summer off from international matches. Itoje, who last played for England in March, missed the team's July fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina while vacationing in Mauritius and Nigeria.

The 31-year-old noted that this was his first significant summer break from professional rugby in over a decade. He acknowledged the mental recovery he experienced during this time, stating that it was more impactful than the physical aspect. Itoje emphasized that the decision to step away was ultimately beneficial for his performance moving forward.

During the summer, Itoje maintained a distance from the England squad, opting to send occasional good luck messages instead of watching their games live. He plans to return to action with Saracens on September 27 and is preparing for a busy schedule that includes upcoming matches against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as the Rugby World Cup next year. Additionally, he and his wife are expecting their first child soon.