Maro: Let the music play

MARO ITOJE thinks beyond the white lines of a rugby pitch. He models clothes, collects African art, he owns vinyl. And it’s that love of music which has him thinking.

The Six Nations Championship has been fizzing along nicely during its opening fortnight – but for England’s star forward rugby union’s showpiece is still missing a trick.

In the Super Bowl last weekend Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J Blige performed. Itoje loved the razzmatazz and feels rugby should embrace it too.

“I didn’t watch the Super Bowl but I did see the half-time show. It was a spectacle,” said Itoje (above).

“The show was brilliant and if that could be somehow replicated in rugby that would be great.”

The full house at Twickenham on Saturday when England take on Wales will have a more traditional interval offering. For the moment the chance to see the fiercest rivalry in the championship re-enacted will have to do. It is still a golden ticket.

“Twickenham, a packed house, against Wales – it will be amazing,” he said.

“Wales are a team that never gives up, it is always tough against those guys.

“There is a lot of passion, a lot of pride on both sides of the field. They tend to be enjoyable, high-pressure games. They are always intense.

“These are the moments, these are the games that you desperately want to be a part of – the games that you shouldn’t take for granted because they are truly special atmospheres.”

The relief for England is that they do not have to go to the Principality Stadium.

Since their World Cup group defeat in 2015, England have beaten Wales five times on the trot at Twickenham.

“Any team prefers to play at home rather than away – but in terms of how they are going to play the game it will still be very similar,” said Itoje.

“Wales are no mugs. They play some good rugby as last week showed. They are a team you have to have your concentration on throughout the game.”