Eddie Jones: "I've never seen a guy mature as much as he [Itoje] has in the last six months so it's been a really good period for him... no one's done a better job than he has done so I'm really pleased with the way he is moving"
Wednesday 8 December 2021 07:26, UK
Eddie Jones has changed his mind on Maro Itoje's potential as a future England captain, saying that he has seen the Saracens lock mature a great deal over the past six months.
Jones wrote in his book "Leadership" that Itoje was "too inward-looking" for the role, but told the Daily Telegraph that he was moving in the right direction.
"I've never seen a guy mature as much as he has in the last six months so it's been a really good period for him," Jones said.
"I'm going to contradict myself - and contradiction's a big part of life - but I've got no doubt in the future he will captain England. Whether that's in my time or someone else's time."
Jones also praised Itoje's contribution in England's wins over Tonga, Australia and South Africa last month, adding that the 27-year-old had been more directly involved in team communication in recent outings.
"He is really moving in the right direction and it was interesting the role that he played in the team during the autumn," Jones said. "He took on the role responsible for team communication.
"It is when the team get together to talk about things they need to talk to. And no one's done a better job than he has done so I'm really pleased with the way he is moving."
Itoje has represented England 50 times since he was called up for the first time ahead of the Six Nations in 2016 and he played every minute of their three Autumn Internationals wins in November.
