Maro Itoje says playing for England is the priority for him and his international team-mates amid reports of a rebel league that would prevent him playing Test rugby if he joined.

Playing for England is the Mecca’, says Maro Itoje amid breakaway league plans - Itoje is one of 17 players to have signed enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts with the Rugby Football Union worth £160,

Maro Itoje says representing England will always remain his “mecca” after the emergence of a breakaway league that threatens to split the sport apart.

After a sighter to establish his range, Eben Etzebeth strikes. The illustrious Springboks lock has been offered a trivia question: how many of his 129 caps have come against Maro Itoje? “We’ve played each