Itoje to replace Farrell as Saracens captain

England guardant Maro Itoje has been named arsenic skipper of Saracens up of nan caller Premiership season.

Itoje, 29, replaces Owen Farrell, who has moved to Racing 92 successful France aft astir 16 years of playing for nan northbound London club.

The 2nd rower, who has 84 England caps, made his Saracens debut successful 2013.

“I americium highly humbled and honoured to beryllium asked to skipper this typical club," he told nan club's website., external

"I emotion this nine and I consciousness that we are successful a very breathtaking spot pinch nan talent and nan group here, nan power we person and nan guidance we are going."

Saracens were 4th successful nan Premiership past word and commencement their run distant to Gloucester connected 21 September.

Itoje, who signed a semipermanent statement successful January, has made 181 appearances for Sarries since his debut arsenic a teen and he has won 5 Premiership titles and 3 European Champions Cups successful that time.

But this will beryllium a caller era astatine StoneX Stadium pinch Farrell's departure, on pinch those of nan 3 Vunipola brothers and nan retirements of Alex Lewington and Sean Maitland, who each made important contributions to their aureate tally of success.

However, for head of rugby Mark McCall, Itoje was nan evident prime to thrust nan new-look squad connected nan field.

"You don’t travel crossed galore group for illustration Maro," said McCall.

"From his early days successful our academy, astatine 14 years old, we each knew we were witnessing nan improvement of personification special.

"He is nan epitome of a Saracens player: fiercely dedicated to his craft, benignant and compassionate to his teammates, and diligent successful pursuing his acquisition and kindness activity distant from nan field. He has ever led by example."