Maro can lead way for us says McCall

SARRIES’ SHOT AT JONES

SARACENS have wasted no time tapping into the leadership skills of Maro Itoje that Eddie Jones this week called into question.

In his new book on leadership, Jones says he does not see Itoje as a future England captain because he is “very inward looking”.

The Red Rose head coach adds that his second-row star, right, “drives himself rather than anyone else. He doesn’t usually influence people off the field”.

Itoje, who skippered England to Junior World Championship glory in 2014, played every minute of the autumn Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa. Yet he has immediately made himself available to start for Saracens against Premiership rivals Sale tomorrow.

Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall said: “Maro’s always been a very important leader here, even from a young age. He’s somebody that people listen to. He just jumps back in there and was very important in our training sessions this week.”

Itoje is the only player to start for England this autumn and Saracens tomorrow, where he will come up against international team-mates Bevan Rodd, Raffi Quirke and Tom Curry.

The StoneX clash marks a reunion between Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson and the London club with whom he spent 17 years as player and coach. So close were the bonds forged that Sanderson is staying with Saracens attack coach Kevin Sorrell and planned to go out for a beer with his old mates last night. He said: “The one thing you can take from sport is the friendship and the memories you make. I could have a beer with someone and still be the most competitive over tiddlywinks. The two things are separate.”