Mario Itoje: Eddie Jones was wrong about my leadership ability

Maro Itoje aims to prove former England coach Eddie Jones wrong as he takes on the Saracens captaincy.

Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy in a 2021 book, claiming the second row was “very inward-looking” and did not “usually influence people off the field”.

“I felt that was a wrong diagnosis of who I am,” said Itoje.

“Most people who know me, most people who read those comments who knew me, would say that was an inaccurate conclusion to who I am as a person.

“I guess it was unfortunate that your coach would say something like that about you, but in life not everyone is going to see the things that way you see it.”

The 29-year-old also denied Jones’ claim that he had taken “acting lessons” to improve his leadership.

“I worked with the psychologist at the time in terms of how to communicate more clearly and get a message across in a more effective manner,” he said.

“I was not waltzing across a stage and practising my Shakespearean prose.”

Itoje will lead Saracens this season after former England captain Owen Farrell moved to French side Racing 92 over the summer.

It is the first time Itoje, 29, who skippered England Under-20s to a Junior World Cup win in 2014, has been the regular captain of a senior first-choice team.

“It’s not like I’ve gone to sleep praying to be captain,” he said. “I feel like it’s something that’s always been in and around me. Leadership is something I’m interested in.

“Owen was obviously a great leader and someone who I have the utmost respect for.

“I don’t necessarily compare myself with him, obviously we are different people and therefore have different styles, different attributes and probably go about things differently just due to our different personalities.

“I want to lead by example and make sure my performance levels stay high. I don’t want to deviate too much from what has made me the man and player I am today.”