Itoje could ditch agent after RFU betting ban

STELLAR RUGBY faces a battle to hold onto its star names such as England lock Maro Itoje after agent Matt Hart was banned for two years.

Hart was found guilty of placing 1,476 illegal bets. The punishment was handed out after the Mail on Sunday revealed he was being investigated by the RFU.

It is understood that Hart has spoken with his clients but at least one player is understood to be considering changing representative.

Toby Faletau, Ben Te’o and Marcus Smith are also part of the Stellar ranks, whose football arm represents the likes of Gareth Bale.

More than £650,000 was deposited in a Bet365 account over three years – with the highest individual bet placed worth £16,234.59.

Hart also failed to cooperate with an RFU anti-corruption investigation, which added four months to his ban.

The RFU shared the outcome with World Rugby, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players’ Association and has since been in touch with the Agents Review Board.

RPA Rugby Director, Richard Bryan, has also briefed players.

‘We collaborate on a number of anti-corruption initiatives and educate our members annually on integrity issues, with the clear message that players and those connected with the game cannot bet on any rugby matches,’ he said.

Hart told the panel he was put under ‘real emotional pressure’ by his father David, a former professional gambler, to place the bets on his behalf.

Sportsmail contacted representatives of Stellar Management Group yesterday, but they were unavailable for comment.

Itoje’s agent is facing RFU investigation FIRST: How we broke the news on April 1 that Hart was being probed