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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Maro Itoje says England is ‘the mecca’ amid talk of global breakaway league

Maro Itoje England Premiership
Maro Itoje stands in front of the rose badge.
Maro Itoje has said ‘wearing this rose is extremely important to me’. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Maro Itoje has insisted that playing for England is “the mecca” amid fears Steve Borthwick’s side could be hit by an exodus of stars heading for a global breakaway league.

Itoje said he was unaware of the mooted competition until news of the proposal broke last week but as one of the leading lights for England for the best part of a decade, the 30-year-old would be high on the rebels’ wishlist.

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