Losing is not what I’m about – England captain Itoje

Men’s Six Nations: Ireland v England

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 1 February Kick-off: 16: 45 GMT

As his team prepares for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Ireland, New England captain Maro Itoje says losing is not what matters.

After only winning five of their 12 Tests in 2024, Itoje replaced Jamie George as skipper earlier this month.

Steve Borthwick’s side defeated Ireland last year at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, which is aiming for a historic third championship in a row. They will now look to improve their chances of winning the first Six Nations title since 2020.

“I don’t want to lose and losing is not what I am about”, Itoje told the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.

There is nothing more rewarding than winning with England. Wining with your club is special, but winning with England is entirely different.

I believe we can do that and I want this team to feel that.

Itoje led England to the Under-20 world title in 2014, but he only rose to the occasion this year as Saracens manager following the departure of previous captain Owen Farrell to France.

The 30-year-old lock made his Rugby World Cup debut in 2016 with a win over England, and the 24-year-old enjoyed a successful international debut under Eddie Jones, who won in 2019 and reached the Rugby World Cup.

In a 2021 book, Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy, writing that the second row was” very inward-looking “and did not” usually influence people off the field “- a view Itoje later denied.

Itoje is not a loud talker when it comes to pre-game team talks, according to Courtney Lawes, who led England on their Australian tour in 2022. However, the new England captain is happy to give those duties to louder squad members.

“I’ll hand that over to the team’s 14 members if there are obligations for swearing!” “Itoje added.

Harlequins wing Cadan Murley, who scored two tries for England A against Australia A in November, will make his England debut on Saturday.

As a flanker like his father and former Harlequin Jon, Murley spent the majority of his rugby career as a teenager before switching to the backs as a 16-year-old.

The 25-year-old, who has been training with England since his first call-up in 2023, finally has the opportunity to show that he is tall above his size by drawing inspiration from fellow 5’11” wing Jack Nowell, who had a strong English career and a stocky build.

According to Murray, “I have different characteristics than a life-long wing and want to give the English team a different edge like Jack Nowell did,” he told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.

You obviously work with the best speed coaches to get as quick as you can, and I was quick for a flanker, but I didn’t have standout pace.

It’s definitely something I have tried to improve because there are some “absolutely quick wings” in the world. You must take advantage of the few line breaks in tests.