England boss Steve Borthwick is under growing pressure to make a ruthless call – strip Maro Itoje of the captaincy after a dismal Six Nations campaign.
Itoje endured a brutally tough tournament – not just on the pitch, but off it too – following the heartbreaking loss of his mother. The emotional toll, combined with the weight of leading England through a difficult period, has led to suggestions the pressure may simply have been too much.
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🗣️ Johnson: “No One Is Untouchable”
Former England World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has delivered a blunt verdict – and it doesn’t spare anyone.
“No one is untouchable.”
“No one’s undroppable at that level and that’s the way it should be.”
“What’s the best thing any player can do? Captain or no captain, it’s play well.”
Johnson’s message is clear: status means nothing without performance – captain or not.
📉 Itoje Under Fire
Itoje’s form dipped noticeably during the Six Nations, with England lacking dominance and direction in key moments. While he remains one of the squad’s most influential figures, questions are now being asked about whether the dual burden of personal grief and captaincy responsibility has affected his performances.
Some within the game believe removing the captaincy could actually help Itoje rediscover his best form without the added pressure.
👀 Successors Already Emerging
If Borthwick does act, two names are firmly in the frame:
Chessum’s rise has been particularly striking, with his physical presence and consistency standing out in a struggling side.
🚨 Big Call Incoming
Borthwick now faces a defining call: stick with Itoje and back him through a difficult period – or make a bold change to spark a reset.
Given everything Itoje has been dealing with off the field, this is no longer just a rugby decision – but the pressure at international level never eases.
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