Itoje already proving a multi-tasker in England’s cause

WITH coach Eddie Jones utilising him in an unconventional dual role in England’s pack, Maro Itoje is intent on becoming as “complete” a player as possible.

Arguably, though, the hugely talented young Saracens forward is already one of the most talented in international football.

A leading light in the national side’s ongoing 16-match winning run, Jones demonstrated just how much faith he has in the 22-year-old by handing him a raft of duties during Saturday’s epic 21-16 win in Wales.

Switched from lock to blindside flanker for the Six Nations, due to Chris Robshaw’s injury, the versatile Itoje also actually packed down in the scrum at second-row in Cardiff.

Jones revealed afterwards that he rates only George Kruis as a better scrummaging lock and, therefore, with Kruis also out injured, wanted to utilise Itoje’s strength in that field against the Welsh despite being listed at No 6.

Itoje swapped roles with Courtney Lawes in that set-piece so, given his importance in the line-out, and making only his second Test start at blindside, he had a myriad of tasks to complete but did so in style, further raising his stock.

When questioned about the scrum aspect, Itoje admitted: “If you asked me that question twoand-a-half years ago I probably would have said I’m not really a scrummager.

“But I want to try to be the most complete player I can and that involves scrummaging and work around the field as well.

“I’m just trying to be the most complete player I can.

“The two roles I have played numerous times for my club and here, I want to benefit the team as best I can.

“Whichever way the coaches feel I can do that, I will do.”

As England remain on course to become the first side to win back-to-back Six Nations grand slams, Itoje was also thrilled by his first experience of the Principality Stadium.

“I’d heard lot of good and interesting things about the place, about the atmosphere,” he continued.

“It was cool. At times, it was hard to hear the person next to you. At one point, I was calling Elliot Daly and he was literally five metres away; I was screaming his name and he couldn’t hear me.

“So the atmosphere was incredible. It was an enjoyable place to play.”

Meanwhile, Daly’s 77thminute try to steal the win made it all the more satisfying.

But Itoje maintained that late effort was down to their sheer resolve.

“We train hard, we play hard,” he said.

“If it was a weaker group we potentially could have crumbled at half-time at 13-8 behind.

“Wales went for us in that second quarter and I think a weaker group would have cracked.

“The strength, resolve and the character of the team pulled us through.

“We never look past the next game so we’ve got Italy next and now it’s full-bore towards that.”