Maro Itoje fulfils his destiny as England’s ‘world-class’ leader for the present and future

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A leader by action and word, the second row is approaching his second decade in an England shirt without yet coming under serious threat for his place in the side; even amid a worrying battle with a health issue a couple of years ago, the exact details of which remain undisclosed, Itoje endured as one of his side’s best performers. open image in gallery Itoje will lead England at this year’s Six Nations, with Jamie George demoted But Borthwick has decided it is time for a change. “He’s a wonderful rugby player and I think he’s, for such a long time now, been central in this England team and such an incredible influence in English rugby,” Borthwick said of George. open image in gallery Steve Borthwick expects Itoje to lead England through to the 2027 World Cup “It was a challenging conversation.