Six Nations: Maro Itoje on mother’s funeral & Scotland v England

Florence was an ever-present sight on the sidelines of her son’s matches, having been converted into a rugby fan by her son’s prowess and progress.

“I remember when I was maybe 15 or 16, I got a call from my academy manager at Saracens telling me they needed me to train with the first team,” Itoje, who read a bible passage at Florence’s funeral in Eku, remembered.

“I was so excited, it was like I had won a million pounds. I ran up the stairs. My mum was on the phone, and I told her.

“She looked at me like ‘is that meant to be a good thing?’.

“But she then became the biggest rugby fan. She would go up and down the country and all around the world. There’s no tour that I’ve been on that she hasn’t been on.

“Whether it’s South Africa, whether it’s Australia, whether it’s New Zealand, England tours, [British and Irish] Lions tours, all the cup finals, obviously all the Premiership stuff, she was always there.

“She will be sorely missed.

“Being back with the team was probably the best thing that could have happened.

“Going straight into this environment with players I know so well and players who’ve been so supportive and welcoming and understanding, as well as the coaches and backroom staff. All of them have been great.”