England has pledged their support for captain Maro Itoje after the tragic passing of his mother. Itoje recently shared the news of his mother Florence’s death in December, prompting him to travel to Nigeria for her funeral.
The 31-year-old player missed Saracens’ Premiership match against Newcastle to be with his family in Nigeria. Additionally, he was absent from the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh, where his friend Jamie George stepped in for media responsibilities.
George empathized with Itoje, drawing on his own experience of losing his mother during the Six Nations in 2024. He emphasized the importance of allowing Itoje time to grieve and process the loss before returning to the team with full dedication.
As England prepares for their opening game against Wales at Twickenham on February 7, they are currently at a warm weather camp in Girona. Itoje is expected to join his teammates in Spain after bidding farewell to his mother. Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed confidence that Itoje will be emotionally ready for the tournament.
In an Instagram post, Itoje reflected on the profound impact his mother had on his life and expressed gratitude for being her son. He described her as the pillar of their family and expressed his belief that she is now watching over them from heaven.
Borthwick acknowledged the emotional toll on Itoje and highlighted the progress he has made as a captain. The team eagerly anticipates his return and the continued success they aim to achieve in honor of Itoje and his family.