Overview
- On Wednesday Itoje told media at the Premiership season launch that he was initially surprised when England head coach Steve Borthwick suggested he skip the summer Nations Championship but has no regrets about taking the break.
- Itoje missed England’s July fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina after being rested following a period in which he exceeded common workload guidance for elite players.
- He completed his first full pre-season with Saracens in 12 years and reports being physically fit and ready for the club campaign that opens with a trip to Leicester on 27 September.
- Itoje said the sabbatical delivered greater mental than physical benefit, a need sharpened by a heavy personal year that included the recent death of his mother and the imminent birth of his first child.
- He urged a case-by-case approach to planned rests, a stance backed by RFU figures and likely to shape future workload management as England balance Premiership commitments and the build-up to next year’s World Cup.