England has expressed their support for captain Maro Itoje following the tragic passing of his mother. Itoje recently revealed that his mother, Florence, had died in December, leading him to travel to Nigeria for her funeral.
The 31-year-old forward was absent from Saracens’ Premiership match against Newcastle to be with his family in Nigeria. He also missed the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh, with his friend Jamie George stepping in for media responsibilities.
George empathized with Itoje, drawing a parallel to his own loss during the Six Nations in 2024. He emphasized the importance of allowing Itoje time to grieve and process the loss before returning to the team fully prepared to contribute.
England is set to embark on a warm weather camp in Girona before their match against Wales on February 7 at Twickenham. Itoje will rejoin the team in Spain after bidding farewell to his mother, with head coach Steve Borthwick expressing confidence in his readiness for the upcoming tournament.
In an emotional Instagram post, Itoje paid tribute to his mother, describing her as his confidant, friend, and inspiration. He expressed gratitude for her impact on his life and shared his belief that she is now watching over them from heaven.
Borthwick acknowledged the emotional challenge Itoje has faced and praised his growth as a leader. The team eagerly anticipates his return and the positive influence he will bring back to the squad.
