Itoje admits tough talking turned round Saracens

Saracens lock Maro Itoje has revealed that it took heart-to-heart conversations behind closed doors to get the defending European champions back on track after they suffered their worst sequence for 15 years when losing seven matches in a row before Christmas.

That run included a record 46-14 defeat at home against Clermont Auvergne, a significant setback that has put the defence of their European crown in jeopardy.

Saracens need to beat Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium tonight or they will be effectively eliminated at the pool stage for the first time in seven years. Itoje, who made a startling return to action last weekend in the uplifting win over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena just four weeks after breaking his jaw, reveals that it took some straight talking among coaches and players to rekindle that familiar bristling spirit that has led to so many honours.

“We had to take a hard look at ourselves and see what we wanted our club to be about, see if were sticking to what we were saying we were about,” said Itoje, who will take the field in Swansea with four plates, two in his jaw and two in his cheekbone, “We probably weren’t all the time so it is about being consistent with that, and about having each other’s backs.

“We are a tight group and that is what has seen us through some big games over the last couple of years and it is important that we got back to that. With the players and coaches we have at our disposal, then in the long run we will be all right.”

Injuries took a heavy toll on Saracens’s resources, with the availability of Itoje against Wasps alongside No 8, Billy Vunipola, having a notable impact. Another international, Wales wing Liam Williams, is also fit again for tonight’s match.

Itoje has proved a remarkably rapid healer after smashing his jaw and cheekbone in a collision with the head of Harlequins’ full-back, Mike Brown, in early December. The 23-year-old had pledged that he would come back stronger and fitter and that looks to be the case.

“Yeah, I think so,” said Itoje, paired with Will Skelton against Ospreys in a Saracens side who have more of a full-strength air about them. “I had a few deficiencies, recurring niggles. I managed to iron out those things. Fortunately, your jaw doesn’t affect your legs and arms, so I was able to lift in the gym. I was able to run. The jaw was feeling good so I thought there was no point waiting, let’s crack on. We need a result on Saturday for our European destiny. It’s massive.”