England Itoje represented
England U18. He was chosen to captain
England U20 and scored a try in every round of the
2014 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and was England's Man of the Tournament as they ultimately finished runners up. Later that year he also led the side at the
2014 IRB Junior World Championship and played in the final as England defeated
South Africa U20 at
Eden Park to win the tournament. In January 2015, Itoje was called up to the
England Saxons squad and on 30 January 2015 he made his only appearance at that level in a victory against
Ireland Wolfhounds. Later that year in May 2015, Itoje received his first call-up to the senior
England squad for a training camp prior to the
2015 Rugby World Cup. He was ultimately not selected for the tournament. In January 2016, Itoje was called-up to the England squad again by new coach
Eddie Jones for the
2016 Six Nations Championship. On 14 February 2016, Itoje made his Test debut as a substitute against
Italy. In the next game he made his first start against
Ireland and was then named player of the match in a victory over
Wales that secured the
Triple Crown. He played every minute in the last game of the tournament as England defeated
France to achieve their first
Grand slam for over a decade. Itoje was a member of their
2016 tour of Australia, playing a starring role as he started all three tests against the Wallabies which saw England complete a series
whitewash. He was subsequently named the
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year for 2016. Itoje was again instrumental in England's defence of the Six Nations trophy in
2017, this time starting all five games as a blindside flanker rather than his more usual second row. They retained the title however missed out on a consecutive grand slam with defeat in the last game away to Ireland which also brought an end to a record equalling eighteen successive victories. The following year saw Itoje score his first international try in a defeat against
South Africa at
Ellis Park Stadium during the opening test of their
2018 tour of South Africa. Itoje was included in the England squad for the
2019 Rugby World Cup and scored a try in a warm-up fixture against Ireland. He was named player of the match for his performance in the semi-final victory over
New Zealand. Itoje was a member of the England side that won the
2020 Six Nations Championship. His performances during the tournament led to him being nominated for player of the championship. Later that year he started in the final of the
Autumn Nations Cup which saw England defeat France after extra time to lift the trophy. Itoje was included in the England squad for the
2023 Rugby World Cup and scored a try in a warm-up fixture against Wales. He started their quarter-final against
Fiji and semi-final defeat to champions South Africa. Itoje also featured in their last game of the tournament as England beat
Argentina to finish third with the Bronze medal. Throughout the 2024 campaign, Itoje won 15 turnovers for England – three more than any other player from a tier one nation. In the same year, he was also first for attacking rucks hit, with 300, and defensive rucks hit, with 137. That year he scored tries in defeats against New Zealand and Australia. In January 2025, Itoje was named as the new England
captain, ahead of the
2025 Six Nations Championship. In February 2025, he earned his first victory as captain during 26–25 win over
France. In February 2025, he became the first England captain since Owen Farrell during the
2020 Championship to lift the
Calcutta Cup after a 16–15 victory over
Scotland. Itoje scored a try in the last round against Wales as England finished runners up. In February 2026, Itoje was named as captain ahead of their
2026 Six Nations fixture against Ireland for his 100th England cap.
British & Irish Lions Itoje was selected for the
British & Irish Lions for their
2017 tour of New Zealand, He appeared in all three tests against
New Zealand as the Lions went on to draw the series in the last game of the tour. Itoje was again selected by coach
Warren Gatland for the
2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He was again a standout player and was subsequently voted the Lions Player of the series by his peers. On 8 May 2025, Itoje was confirmed as captain for the
2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. He played every minute of the first and second tests which the Lions won to claim their first series victory for twelve years. He was injured during the last game of the tour as the Wallabies prevented a whitewash. == Personal life ==