England Captain Maro Itoje Receives Team Support Following Mother's Passing
Maro Itoje has received strong backing to excel as England captain in the upcoming Six Nations championship, despite navigating what has been described as an incredibly challenging period of personal grief. The rugby star is mourning the loss of his mother, Florence, who passed away in December, with teammates and coaching staff rallying around him during this difficult time.
Absence from Launch Event Explained
Itoje was notably absent from the 2026 Six Nations launch event held in Edinburgh on Monday, as he is currently in Nigeria attending a funeral service. Nigeria holds particular significance as it is the country of origin for both of his parents. The England forward is scheduled to depart Africa late on Wednesday to join his teammates at their pre-tournament training camp in Girona, Spain, ensuring his availability for England's opening match against Wales on February 7th.
Teammate Jamie George Offers Empathetic Support
Jamie George, who plays alongside Itoje for both Saracens and England, has spoken extensively with the captain, drawing parallels from his own experience of losing his mother, Jane, to cancer ahead of the 2024 tournament. We've spoken a lot. The parallels are scary. It's heart-breaking news. I know how much of a difficult time he's going through, George revealed. My biggest message to him was to make sure he gives himself enough time to grieve.
George expressed confidence in Itoje's readiness to return, stating: He's had a good opportunity to do that. He's in Nigeria at the minute but he'll be back ready to give all of himself to the team and be successful to make the rest of his family very, very proud. We're all determined to do that for him too.
Coach Borthwick's Compassionate Response
England head coach Steve Borthwick has publicly acknowledged the profound impact of Florence Itoje's passing on his captain and the wider squad. We are all deeply saddened for him, Borthwick said. It has been incredibly challenging for him and his family. Being in Nigeria this week is an important step for him and everyone close to him.
Borthwick, who hailed Itoje as a really powerful captain, added: I think he will be really looking forward to being back with the team and focusing on the Test matches to come. The coach's comments underscore the balance between respecting personal grief and maintaining focus on professional responsibilities.
Itoje's Leadership and Recent Success
Itoje's role as captain comes during a period of significant success for English rugby. Under his leadership, England won an impressive 11 out of 12 matches during 2025. Furthermore, he captained the British & Irish Lions to a series victory in Australia last year, cementing his reputation as a formidable leader on the international stage.
The player himself has described the loss of his mother as by far the biggest and most painful loss I have ever experienced, highlighting the depth of his personal struggle. Despite this, he remains committed to leading England against Wales, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
England's Broader Preparations and Ambitions
As England intensify their preparations in northern Spain, they will be without the injured Sale flanker Ben Curry. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) concurrently launched its strategic plan for the next four years, with a clear ambition for senior England teams not only to consistently win senior international competitions, but to do so in a way that inspires future generations.
Borthwick echoed this sentiment, stating: We want to win the World Cup in 2027. I do think there is a responsibility to connect with and inspire the next generation. I want the players to attack this tournament and come with an attitude to play fast and to play brave.
Six Nations and Broader Rugby Developments
In related rugby news, Six Nations chief executive Tom Harrison announced a significant broadcasting development. ITV has secured the rights to screen the new Nations Championship competition, which begins this summer, in a deal understood to be worth approximately £90 million. This represents a phenomenal result for rugby, according to Harrison.
The Nations Championship will feature the world's top 12 national teams, merging the traditional summer and autumn international windows into a single, cohesive competition. ITV will broadcast the first two editions in 2026 and 2028, taking over from TNT Sports, who previously held the rights for autumn Tests. The substantial investment from this deal will be distributed among the twelve competing unions from both hemispheres.
Harrison added: With significant investment in the sport from ITV, the game has never been in a stronger position. This financial boost is expected to have positive ramifications for the sport's development at all levels.
