England hit for Six after Maro KO blow

MARO ITOJE is a doubt for the start of England’s Six Nations campaign.

His club Saracens revealed yesterday that the lock suffered a knee injury on international duty and that he will be out for a number of weeks. Itoje (left) is a key figure in coach Eddie Jones’ World Cup plans and his absence from the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 2 would be a huge blow. A Saracens statement said: “Maro Itoje will be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a knee injury.

“The 24-year-old took a knock whilst on international duty with England and scans have revealed a chip in his patella.”

Itoje’s England and Lions team-mate Mako Vunipola returns to action for Saracens in tomorrow’s Champions

Cup clash against Cardiff Blues at Allianz Park.

The loosehead prop, 27, has not played since October because of a calf strain but will start against the Welsh side.

Elsewhere, the Rugby Players’ Association has revealed that more than 60 per cent of retired players have experienced mental health problems.

Sixty-two per cent of the approximately 200 respondents to the survey said they had battled some sort of mental health issue since the end of their playing days, with financial concerns a key factor.

RPA chief executive Damian Hopley, who was forced to quit in

1998 because of injury aged only

27, said: “We are extremely grateful to our former players for being so open and honest in sharing their experiences.

“I know from my own experience leaving the game that it can feel like a bereavement, so I am not surprised, but understanding the issues players face is crucial to focusing our work.

“We offer our members 24/7 support and run a broad range of initiatives and programmes.” GUINNESS has been unveiled as the title sponsor of the Six Nations on a six-year contract. The deal starts from next year’s tournament, which kicks off when France host Wales on February 1.