- The England skipper had the chance to join the likes of Owen Farrell in the Top 14
- He instead signed a new contract at Saracens, snubbing Toulouse and Racing 92
- If he had moved overseas, he would have been ineligible for England selection
England skipper Maro Itoje has revealed how unfinished business with the national team was behind his decision to turn down a move to France.
The lock had an opportunity to join Jack Willis, Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes in the Top 14 before he signed a new contract at Saracens.
His decision was vindicated when he was given the England captaincy and tomorrow he will lead the side for the first time at Twickenham.
‘The reason I didn’t pursue that (moving to France) is because I wanted to play for England,’ said Itoje, one of 17 players on an enhanced RFU contract.
‘I felt like my time in an England shirt was not done yet. I’d have been looking at England playing from across the Channel and I wouldn’t have been at peace with the decision.
‘There are a whole load of different factors one can use to determine whether you stay here or go there but I felt if I went at that time it would have been a bit premature.’
Maro Itoje will lead England out for the first time at Twickenham as England take on France
Itoje turned down a move to France’s Top 14 due to unfinished business with England
He chose not to follow the likes of Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes across the channel
Toulouse and Racing 92 were interested in signing Itoje but he would have been ineligible for England selection had he moved overseas.
The exodus of talent has left the national team short of experience, with a number of English players keen to see the rules relaxed.
‘We want all the best players to be available for selection for England,’ added Itoje. ‘We want all the guys playing well playing for England, or at least being available for selection.
‘But everyone has their own careers and you have to make decisions which benefit you. I have a lot of respect for all the guys out there. I’ve played quite a lot of rugby and spent quite a lot of time with a lot of them. I wish them all the best.
‘Many of them could be in England but that doesn’t mean they would get picked because there is a lot of competition in almost every position. Nothing is guaranteed.’
Having not played for England since the World Cup, Willis has established himself as one of the Top 14’s most successful forwards, playing alongside Antoine Dupont at Toulouse.
Asked about Willis’s absence in the England squad, Dupont said: ‘I’m a bit surprised, but I’m quite happy not to be playing against Jack. We know the nightmare he is in the ruck area. Their rules are different from ours.’
