Apprentice Itoje can be master of Jones

It will be a case of the master meeting the apprentice when Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje go head to head today. There may be nine years between them, but in so many ways these two inspirational leaders are mirror images of each other. They are equally passionate, both incredibly intense and have a huge amount of respect for each other since the Lions tour.

They were room-mates for much of that tour and started the final two Tests together in the second row. Jones was filmed singing the “Oh, Maro Itoje” chant after the second Test in Wellington, and I believe the Welshman has actually found a new lease of life thanks to his English counterpart.

There comes a point in every player’s career – normally in your 30s – when you find yourself stagnating a little. What you need is a kick up the backside, and it normally arrives in the shape of a young challenger. That is the role I believe Itoje played for Jones this summer. His energy and enthusiasm sparked Jones into life, and he is playing as well as he has in years.

It was exactly the same for me when Marlie Packer came into the England side. I saw her presence as a challenge and it made me raise my game. That is what has happened to Alun Wyn.

Their time together has also improved Itoje. Watching him play this season, it is clear that he has grown in confidence and is now fully established as a senior leader in the England environment.

I believe that is largely due to Jones’s influence. Jones clearly respected Itoje, even letting him run the line-out, and that will have been hugely important for Itoje. It will have cemented his status in his own mind – after that vote of confidence he will know he belongs at the highest level.

Now, having earned Jones’s respect, I think

Itoje will want to go a step further. I believe he will look at this weekend as an opportunity to say to the Welshman, “Now look how good I am.”

I think he will succeed in doing that, and I expect this afternoon to be day the when the apprentice becomes the master.

He will know how important his confrontation with Jones is. In many ways, Alun Wyn Jones is Wales. He is the dragon on the flag, the beating heart of that team. With so many injuries to contend with, who would step up to lead or inspire them if Jones comes out second best in his head-to-head with Itoje?

England are less reliant on Itoje, which means he can focus more on his individual battle. He will see the line-out as an opportunity to show Jones what he has learnt, and I expect that to be a fascinating part of the game.

Jones will do the dirty work brilliantly, but I would expect Itoje to have a couple more ‘highlight’ moments around the park. One thing I have noticed with Itoje is that he has more of an effect on the crowd than the vast majority of forwards; he unwittingly plays a crucial role in ensuring fans connect with the team, particularly at home games.

The Twickenham faithful see him as a future captain, a Martin Johnson type who will win 100 caps and possibly lift a World Cup or two. When he’s not playing, the energy in the crowd dips slightly. It can also happen if your man struggles against his opposite number. Jones will be desperate to get the better of the Englishman and quieten the crowd. But having learnt from the master, I expect Maro Itoje to show that he is now the best

around.