sports
January 26, 2026
England captain Maro Itoje absent from training camp to attend mother’s funeral in Nigeria
England will kick off their Six Nations training camp in Spain this week without their captain, Maro Itoje, who has travelled to Nigeria for his mother’s funeral. Itoje was absent from the official Six Nations championship launch in Edinburgh on Monday and is not expected to join his squad until Wednesday evening.
TL;DR
- Maro Itoje, England's captain, will miss the start of the Six Nations training camp in Spain due to his mother's funeral in Nigeria.
- Itoje is not expected to rejoin the squad until Wednesday evening.
- Jamie George will undertake Itoje's captaincy duties at the tournament launch.
- France has lost prop Uini Atonio and flanker Paul Boudehent to injuries.
- Ireland is experiencing front-row problems with multiple prop injuries.
- The Six Nations fixture between Ireland and France has been moved to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
- Wales captain Dewi Lake expects his side to display 'sheer fight and will' against England.
- England coach Steve Borthwick anticipates aerial pressure from Wales, with potential for '50 kicks'.
- England is considering splitting resources for their summer tour to maximize prospects in the inaugural Nations Championship games.
- An England XV is scheduled to play a French XV in Vannes on Friday, June 19.
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