Anyone who has watched Saracens in action this season will know how special a talent Maro Itoje is.
The 21-year-old, who can cover second and back row, has been on the professional radar since he made his debut, as a teenager, in 2013/14.
Last season saw the Londoner establish himself in the starting line-up of an intimidating Sarries side. He has taken that up a notch this season and, fittingly, was fast-tracked into the national set-up.
His advancement has been at a similar pace to that of Ireland’s Ultan Dillane, who is expected to earn his Test debut at Twickenham this weekend.
Itoje, who debuted against Italy on Valentine’s Day, will be pitting his wits, and bulk against Devin Toner. Â The Leinster lock has been far too busy to scrapbook each any every of Itoje’s achievements thus far but he is aware of the threat he will,bring. Toner said:
“From what I’ve seen he’s a very promising, explosive young player, but I haven’t seen a lot of him to be honest.
“But I hear all the hype anyway.”
Sensing we had our headlines there, Toner added:
“Obviously we have our own video files and player profiles, I’ve seen everything there. I’ve seen what he’s been doing over the last couple of games.”
Ireland are expected to keep Dillane on the replacements bench and start Donnacha Ryan beside Toner, who states he is happy to have another physical presence ready to step in.
“I can bounce more ideas off Donnacha. He’Â’s more of a lineout brain man like myself because he is a caller himself. Mike doesn’Â’t really call that many lineouts. ThatÂ’s one of the things that differentiate them.
“He’Â’s very good at organising defensive lineouts as well so the two of us can bounce ideas off each other as well. That’Â’s a help.”
