MARO ITOJE

faces a battle to be fit for England’s Six Nations showdown with Ireland after chipping his kneecap.

Itoje suffered the injury against Australia but learnt of the damage only after Saracens’ win over Wasps last week. The Ireland clash is on February 2 while Saracens face a number of Heineken Cup and Premiership matches in the next two months.

“Maro Itoje will be sidelined for a number of weeks,” Saracens said in a statement.