Itoje bounces back In fine style
Saracens Director of Rugby, Mark McCall, said Maro Itoje looked “full of energy” as he delivered a standout performance in his side’s 24-11 win over Harlequins yesterday.
The England international was criticised for looking “out on his feet” by Sir Clive Woodward, after starting all five NatWest 6 Nations games in a disappointing championship.
However, the 23-year-old delivered the perfect riposte as he scored Saracens’ second try with a bulldozing run through the Quins defence, fending off four players en route.
McCall praised his star lock and, despite being frustrated with the stop-start nature of the first Aviva Premiership match at the London Stadium, he said his side are in a strong position in the play-off race with four games to go.
“Maro was brilliant and looked like he was full of energy, full of life and he was deservedly man of the match,” he said.
“It will give him a lot of confidence going into next weekend, but his performance wasn’t a surprise to us.
“Sometimes when people tell you that you look tired then you can feel tired, but Maro is not that kind of individual and I think he proved that.”
McCall confirmed that Owen Farrell (quadricep) and George Kruis (back) are both touch-and-go to make Saracens’ Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster next weekend.
But in Farrell’s absence, Alex Lozowski impressed against Quins as he kicked 14 of his side’s points, with Liam Williams scoring Saracens’ other try.