MARO ITOJE has made realising England’s potential his number one priority after being installed as captain for the Six Nations.

Itoje has taken charge of the team in place of Jamie George following a 2024 that produced just five wins in 12 Tests, a disappointing year that has turned the upcoming tournament into a pivotal period for head coach Steve Borthwick.

The nadir of those results was three successive losses at Twickenham during the autumn and England were roundly criticised as a result, but Itoje insists proving people wrong cannot be the motivation for delivering in the Championship.