England and Saracens star\u00a0Maro Itoje\u00a0has revealed that he\u2019s considering a move into politics once his glittering rugby career comes to an end.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0British & Irish Lions\u00a0skipper, who led the tourists to a 2\u20131 series win over Australia this summer, has already captained club and country and earned 93 caps for England \u2014 but he\u2019s now thinking far beyond the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolitics is something that is of deep interest to me\u201d<\/p>\n
Itoje, who holds a degree in politics from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), opened up about his future ambitions on\u00a0The Rest Is Politics\u00a0podcast with\u00a0Alastair Campbell\u00a0and\u00a0Rory Stewart.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that is of deep interest to me. I have so many interests and I think I could have gone any which way but one of them was and is politics,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old \u2014 known as much for his eloquence off the field as his leadership on it \u2014 admitted he\u2019s drawn to the idea of making a real impact through public service.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not putting anything off the table. The opportunity to effect real change, to put legislation in place for the betterment of society is a very attractive one, although it has its drawbacks as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not sports politics \u2014 the real thing<\/p>\n
When asked if he\u2019d follow in the footsteps of\u00a0Seb Coe\u00a0and move into sports politics, Itoje made his position clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m actually more attracted to real politics. What I want to do is look positively forward into the future and throw all of myself into what happens next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I will try and do but it\u2019s easier said than done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith gives me hope\u201d<\/p>\n
A man guided by his beliefs, Itoje also spoke about the importance of faith and optimism in shaping his worldview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a man of faith, I\u2019m a Christian, so that always gives me hope. In the last 18 months or so I\u2019ve become deeper and deeper in that faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the challenges that we face, I think this is a great country that has a lot of opportunities and it\u2019s a place where you\u2019d rather be if you had to roll the dice, because of the opportunity, rule of law, the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes we forget that as a nation and how powerful we are. Obviously if you compare it to 100 years ago you would say it\u2019s dwindling but as of today it\u2019s a nation that many other parts of the world would dream of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGreatest leader of them all\u201d \u2013 Nigel Owens ranks the best rugby captains of all-time<\/p>\n
Renowned rugby referee Nigel Owens has revealed a surprising list of the top five captains he\u2019s had the privilege to officiate.<\/p>\n