England’s Nigerian-born rugby team captain, Maro Itoje insists everyone in the squad is united and focused on victory, ahead of their crucial clash with France in the Six Nations tournament.
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Sports247 reports that Itoje’s verdict comes against the backdrop of critical comments trailing unhealthy scenes during their last game in Italy, as an on-field disagreement erupted at Stadio Olimpico.
Ironically, Itoje was at the centre of that spat, as the skipper openly exchanged words with England’s fly-half, Fin Smith as well as his vice-captains, Ellis Genge and Jamie George early in the second half.
Their argument was about whether to use a penalty to go for goal or set up an attacking line-out, but the open debate escalated with Itoje shouting at Smith, “Don’t argue with me. Take the three.”
England went on to lose the game 23-18 to the Italians, a result that plunged The Three Lions into crisis, with fears of their worst Six Nations’ performance ever, but Itoje insists everything has been settled in the squad.
Itoje declared, “There’s no crack. There’s no crack between us. There was no residue from that. Naturally, I guess because of the loss, it was made into a bigger thing than it actually was.
“Fin’s a good guy and I get on with him very well. When you have good relationships with people, you’re able to have those sorts of conversations and are able to move on from it pretty quickly.”
Sports247 reports further that England will be all out to end their three-game losing run in the Six Nations series when they face France in Paris on Saturday, ahead of which Itoje says they enter without tension between senior players.
