Injured Itoje could miss Ireland clash

ENGLAND lock Maro Itoje is a doubt for the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 2. Itoje chipped a bone in his knee while training in Portugal with England, who managed the problem but were not aware of the extent of it. Itoje then starred in all four of England’s autumn Tests before returning to club duty with Saracens. The 24year-old getting through 69 minutes of work last Saturday against Wasps. He is now expected to be out for six to eight weeks. It is potentially a colossal blow for England boss Eddie Jones if Itoje’s Six Nations participation is under threat. ‘Maro Itoje will be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a knee injury,’ Saracens said in a statement yesterday. ‘The 24-year-old took a knock whilst on international duty with England, and scans have revealed a chip in his patella.’