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InternationalEnglandSaracens

Itoje fitness boost ahead of Six Nations

Maro Itoje was a hit at Saracens as soon as he walked in the door from school (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

With Eddie Jones set to name his England squad ahead of the Guinness Six Nations next Thursday, he was given a major boost with the return of Maro Itoje.

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The 24-year-old picked up a knee injury whilst on international duty with England in November, chipping his patella.

The second row missed five matches, including Sarries’ European double header with Cardiff Blues.

He returns from injury to start for Saracens against Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday.

Saracens are top of Pool 3 with four wins from four and a bonus point victory would almost certainly guarantee a place in the knockout stage.

Continue reading below…
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Itoje’s international and club teammate Jamie George is reinstated at hooker after being rested last weekend and Jackson Wray is the third and final change in the pack, coming into the back row at six.

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Saracens have made just one alteration to their backline, which sees Scotland international Sean Maitland replace David Strettle on the wing.

Saracens team to face Lyon in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday 13th January:
15. Alex Goode
14. Sean Maitland
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Alex Lozowski
11. Liam Williams
10. Owen Farrell (c)
9. Richard Wigglesworth
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Vincent Koch
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Kruis
6. Jackson Wray
7. Schalk Burger
8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements:
16. Christopher Tolofua
17. Richard Barrington
18. Christian Judge
19. Will Skelton
20. Ben Earl
21. Ben Spencer
22. Marcelo Bosch
23. David Strettle

Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Oita

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Comments on RugbyPass

P
Phillip 25 minutes ago
USA team in Super Rugby Pacific is not the answer right now, but this is

It’s got my vote!

2 Go to comments
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BAZ 54 minutes ago
Ex-Wallabies react to Wallaroos’ ‘perfect’ start to Rugby World Cup year

If James Horwell thinks four successive wins over Fijiana is a fantastic start for Wallaroos then he’s dreaming because Black Ferns on Saturday May 10 followed by United States and Canada in following two weeks might alter his opinion very quickly! The scores will certainly surprise him immensely!

1 Go to comments
D
DC000 1 hour ago
Brendan Fanning: 'Leinster have the best-resourced squad in these islands but can’t make it pay.'

The D4 lads shitting the bed at the sharp end of every season is the true sign of spring.


And highly amusing to the actual supporters of Irish Rugby

5 Go to comments
I
Icefarrow 1 hour ago
USA team in Super Rugby Pacific is not the answer right now, but this is

Yeah, no thanks. Don’t want a US team, and sure as hell don’t want a competition with the MLR in it. If that SR/ JRLO crossover comp they’ve been discussing manifests, that’ll be a hell of a lot better.

2 Go to comments
M
MA 2 hours ago
Why former All Black believes the Wallabies will beat the B&I Lions

To me, his comment seemed to be more about O'Connor.


It just so happens he is playing with the Crusaders who are table toppers at present..

Mthinks you may have jumped the gun on this occasion mate.

Go well, MM 🙏

43 Go to comments
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david cargle 3 hours ago
Why former All Black believes the Wallabies will beat the B&I Lions

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david cargle 3 hours ago
Why former All Black believes the Wallabies will beat the B&I Lions

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John 4 hours ago
Wallabies’ depth chart: Centres a problem, Lock-jam in the second row

Tizzano in the 21 makes me happy but unsure it will be a thing, think either him and Fraser have to start to be in the side.

9 Go to comments
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John 4 hours ago
Wallabies’ depth chart: Centres a problem, Lock-jam in the second row

Cheers Guest, all fair takes and I respect your view on Swain’s ability to play loose instead of TH lock.


I think he nonethless has to be part of the mix somehow, been in epic form.

9 Go to comments
J
John 4 hours ago
Wallabies’ depth chart: Centres a problem, Lock-jam in the second row

I totally agree that he is part of the pitcture, slipped my mind as I toyed with going only domestic players or include OS, so I forgot to add him when I added Skelton, put him in with the 12s instead of Walton.

9 Go to comments
J
John 4 hours ago
Wallabies’ depth chart: Centres a problem, Lock-jam in the second row

I totally agree, and it wasn’t until I sent the piece in for publish that I had realised this, but yeah, put him in the no.10 list.


Thanks EK!

9 Go to comments
J
JoanneHolbrook 4 hours ago
Maro Itoje Lions captaincy all but confirmed

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GM 5 hours ago
We all know the Chiefs are the best team in Super Rugby

Hmmm. Daniel Rona, in at centre for ALB, scored 2 tries for the Chiefs, so ALB didn’t seem to be missed on attack. On D, ALB is regularly beaten on the outside, done for pace, and there’s no way he could have stopped at least two of Sullivan’s tries, unless he could have magically reversed Scooter’s yellow card. Love to see Razor invest in the future, the likes of Higgins and Proctor and AJ, and bring the international curtain down on the perennial strugglers at test level, the ALBs and Havilis. The French series would be ideal.

6 Go to comments
P
Patience Anthony 5 hours ago
Maro Itoje Lions captaincy all but confirmed

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0 Go to comments
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GM 5 hours ago
What went wrong for the Blues after their championship breakthrough

It’s a battle when you just don’t have the cattle. What went wrong for the Blues this year is precisely what went wrong for the Crusaders last year. It’s not rocket science. A pack starting regularly with fledgling Super players like Fusitua, Josh Beere, Cam Christie and Anton Segner, (no matter how promising they are) is not going to produce the same impact as a pack with Ofa, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane and Dalton Papail’i. Sotutu also started late and was banned for 3 games, and Cam Suafoa’s illness deprived them of a big like-for-like Akira type No. 6. Given all that, they are still in the hunt for top 6, which is a tribute to their leadership, particularly Paddy Tuipolotu, who has been the form lock week in week out, and is always gracious and measured in his after-game interviews.

4 Go to comments
C
Carlos 5 hours ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Five meters from the goal line. One minute to go. Leinster has 15 players, Saints only 13. They get that penalty.

They tried the trick play after using it twice successfully.


Why not a BLOODY scrum? 15 to13, FFS! Five meters to go, two extra backs!?


🤦‍♂️


The horror of not using your brain and not THINKING!

163 Go to comments
C
Cantab 5 hours ago
We all know the Chiefs are the best team in Super Rugby

Not really .Chiefs didn’t win either and look where the Blues are this year. Past history goes back over several seasons and Crusaders are usually at the forefront. Can be forgiven for an occasional aberration.

6 Go to comments
B
BC 5 hours ago
Sophie de Goede: Returning from injury with 'edge and physicality'

Excellent player and hope she gets back for the WC, but it sounds as if she will be seriously undercooked in terms of playing time. It’s taken quite a while for some other world class players to get properly up to speed recently after serious injuries.

1 Go to comments
B
BA 5 hours ago
‘Rising force’ Proctor gives All Blacks Ioane dilemma

Canes gotta make finals Proctor plays well in the big games he might get the nod but he has old story big match cut down errors make tackles

6 Go to comments
L
LW 5 hours ago
‘Rising force’ Proctor gives All Blacks Ioane dilemma

What reiko wants is less important than what the coaches want from him

6 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ ‘Rising force’ Proctor gives All Blacks Ioane dilemma ‘Rising force’ Proctor gives All Blacks Ioane dilemma
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