Itoje relishing his role as mascot BIL’s constant tour companion
THERE will be plenty of challenges ahead for Maro Itoje on this Lions tour, but so far the biggest one has been seeing off his team-mates’ attempts to part him from his cuddly toy.
As the youngest member of the squad, the 22-year-old Saracens forward has been charged with looking after BIL the Lion.
He has to carry the mascot around at all times and not let it out of his sight, which is easier said than done when you have fellow players up to their high jinks.
“It has been interesting and a bit challenging at times,” he admitted.
“That’s probably part of the parcel of it.
“It has its good moments, as any relationship does. It has its highs, it has its lows. It goes missing an awful lot and I am thinking of ways to keep it close.”
On the last Lions tour, to Australia in 2013, it was Stuart Hogg who had the responsibility of looking after BIL.
The Scotland full-back clearly still has an attachment to the soft-toy mascot, with Itoje identifying him as the main culprit when it comes to hijacking antics.
“One would think he would be a little bit sympathetic, but he is the absolute opposite,” revealed the England back-five man.
“We went to the gym and I put it down. He first of all put it on top of something.
“I pretended I didn’t see it to hopefully just make sure he left it there.
“Then he moved it again, then again. I finally got it back.
“Then he tried once more and I was like, ‘Nah, you’re not moving it this time.’
While looking after BIL is proving testing, Itoje is clearly relishing the Lions experience as he prepared to make his debut in the famous strawberry red jersey against the Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park today.
“For me, it’s been absolutely great,” he said.
“Not many people get this opportunity.
“I’m getting to spend time and train with players I haven’t played with before.
“It’s great to mix with these well established internationals.
“My room-mate at the moment is Iain Henderson.
“He’s been giving me a little debrief on Northern Irish politics, which was very interesting for me. That’s not exactly my area of expertise.
“He was explaining to me the complex nature of what’s going on over there.
“He didn’t give me the whole thing otherwise we’d have been there for quite a while.
“I have had Sean O’Brien as well. He’s been a bit of a character. It’s been nice getting to know him.
“My first room-mate was Rhys Webb. He sleeps like an absolute champion. Either I’m really boring or he sleeps a lot!”
And, of course, there are the famous Lions committees to get used to. As well as trying to avoid any fines for losing BIL, Itoje has further responsibilities to perform.
“I am on the duty committee in charge of making sure everything is clean and tidy and all the team areas are as they should be,” he explained.
Setting standards off the field, as well as on it, looks to come naturally to the 12-cap Itoje.
Everyone has seen the impact he has made in taking the club and international stage by storm over the past couple of seasons.
But he’s also a hugely impressive character away from the pitch, showing a maturity well beyond his years.
Education is clearly important to him – with one final exam to take this summer before he completes a degree in African politics – and so are manners.
It was notable how he went round every journalist at Monday’s press call at the team hotel in Auckland, shaking their hands and introducing himself.
It’s not surprising he is being tipped as a future England captain and the way he answered when asked about the recent terror attacks in his home city of London confirmed just what a fine, well-spoken young man he is.
“These things are happening too often,” said the Camdenborn, former Harrow School pupil.
“It’s a real dark and crass situation. My heart and condolences go to all those involved.
“These things are always a bit daunting when they happen on your doorstep, your home city, the city you were born and grew up in.
“It’s tough, but London and the whole of Britain are showing how resilient they are and how they will bounce back from it.”
For Itoje, the focus now turns to his Lions debut, as he prepares to pack down in the second row against the Blues.
“It feels good. There’s a lot of excitement and anticipation, with a little bit of nerves in there as well,” he said.
“This country is just insane about their rugby. They live and breath it. They are extremely passionate. I’m just looking forward to getting out there now.”