England rugby captain Maro Itoje took a rare sabbatical during the summer months, stepping away from international duty for the first time in more than a decade. The decision, made by England head coach Steve Borthwick following the Six Nations, saw Itoje rested for the Nations Championship Tests in July against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina. Itoje’s break marked his first full off-season since 2014, providing a much-needed mental and physical pause ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Itoje, 31, who has earned 102 caps since his debut in 2016 and is renowned for his high workload at both club and international level, described the break as “weird” but ultimately beneficial. He avoided watching England’s matches live to maintain emotional distance, instead choosing to view them afterwards. This approach helped him disconnect from the intensity of live rugby, allowing him to focus on recovery. He did, however, maintain occasional contact with his teammates, even coincidentally crossing paths with the squad at Heathrow Airport during their South African tour return.
The England lock credited the sabbatical with restoring his mental resilience and physical health following a demanding period marked by leadership duties for England, Saracens, and the British & Irish Lions, as well as personal challenges such as the passing of his mother last year. Itoje emphasized that while injuries sometimes provide players with forced breaks, this downtime came without physical setbacks, allowing him a full pre-season preparation with Saracens ahead of the Gallagher Premiership campaign starting later this month.
Itoje has advocated for the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to adopt a more formal sabbatical system similar to those in place in other rugby nations like New Zealand and South Africa. In those countries, top players often take deliberate breaks from international duty or pursue shorter seasons in Japan to reduce workload and extend their careers. He believes such breaks could help manage the relentless cycle that international and club rugby places on elite players, balancing performance expectations with long-term wellbeing.
Reflecting on the season ahead, Itoje expressed optimism about England’s recent summer performances, noting the team’s strong victories over Fiji and Argentina. With a busy November schedule looming—including Tests against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand—he is eager to return to international action refreshed and ready to lead.
In addition to his rugby commitments, Itoje is preparing for new personal responsibilities, with his wife Mimi expecting their first child. Despite joking about the limited paternity leave typically afforded to professional rugby players, he conveyed enthusiasm about this upcoming chapter.
Overall, Itoje’s sabbatical underscores a growing discussion in professional rugby about player welfare and career longevity, with calls for more structured rest periods to maintain both physical health and mental sharpness among top athletes.