Itoje’s green light to return against Italy

MARO ITOJE has been cleared for a swift return to England’s starting XV against Italy at Twickenham next Saturday, after coming through intensive training in Oxford last week. The 24-year-old Saracens lock is destined to replace Courtney Lawes for the next round of the Guinness Six Nations, having recovered quickly from a knee injury sustained in the opening victory over Ireland in Dublin on February 2. Lawes filled the second-row void in Itoje’s absence but damaged a calf in the defeat by Wales last week and has been ruled out of the remainder of the Championship. Itoje (below) was not officially included in England coach Eddie Jones’s 25-strong squad for this week’s Oxford training camp — instead he was named as being with the group to continue his rehabilitation. However, despite wearing protective strapping around his right knee, the Lion was partially involved in the sessions and had intensive work with the team physios. Just three locks were named for training last week, but Itoje will be reinstated to take the quota back up to the usual four, as the next step towards starting against the Azzurri. Itoje’s cousin, Bath prop Beno Obano, is due to make a comeback off the bench for his club today following a 10-month lay-off. The loosehead shattered his left knee while training with England last May and has been engaged in a gruelling rehabilitation programme since. The 24-year-old has been named as a replacement for Harlequins’ visit to The Rec. Champions Saracens expect prop Mako Vunipola to be out for seven weeks.