Jones 'wrong' about my leadership ability - Itoje

Maro Itoje intends to beryllium erstwhile England coach Eddie Jones incorrect arsenic he takes connected nan Saracens captaincy.

Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy successful a 2021 book, claiming nan 2nd statement was "very inward-looking" and did not "usually power group disconnected nan field".

"I felt that was a incorrect test of who I am," said Itoje.

"Most group who cognize me, astir group who publication those comments who knew me, would opportunity that was an inaccurate conclusion to who I americium arsenic a person.

"I conjecture it was unfortunate that your coach would opportunity thing for illustration that astir you, but successful life not everyone is going to spot nan things that measurement you spot it."

The 29-year-old besides denied Jones' declare that he had taken "acting lessons" to amended his leadership.

"I worked pinch nan scientist astatine nan clip successful position of really to pass much intelligibly and get a connection crossed successful a much effective manner," he said.

"I was not waltzing crossed a shape and practising my Shakespearean prose."

Itoje will lead Saracens this play aft erstwhile England skipper Owen Farrell moved to French broadside Racing 92 complete nan summer.

It is nan first clip Itoje, 29, who skippered England Under-20s to a Junior World Cup triumph successful 2014, has been nan regular skipper of a elder first-choice team.

"It's not for illustration I've gone to slumber praying to beryllium captain," he said. "I consciousness for illustration it's thing that's ever been successful and astir me. Leadership is thing I'm willing in.

"Owen was evidently a awesome leader and personification who I person nan utmost respect for.

"I don't needfully comparison myself pinch him, evidently we are different group and truthful person different styles, different attributes and astir apt spell astir things otherwise conscionable owed to our different personalities.

"I want to lead by illustration and make judge my capacity levels enactment high. I don't want to deviate excessively overmuch from what has made maine nan man and subordinate I americium today."

Itoje said he would tie connected nan activity styles of erstwhile Saracens captains, name-checking Brad Barritt and existent England caput coach Steve Borthwick on pinch Farrell, but he besides takes inspiration from life beyond rugby.

Alongside pioneering Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah and boxing fable Muhammad Ali, Arsenal instrumentality Itoje is an admirer of erstwhile Gunners skipper Patrick Vieira.

"He was tough," said Itoje.

"He was a no-nonsense player, he was elegant. I loved his spats pinch [former Manchester United captain] Roy Keane successful nan tunnel.

"He was graceful, he didn't look for illustration nan loudest man successful nan room, but he had a beingness astir him.

"He knew he had nan respect of his team-mates and he was a winner."

Itoje, who has won 84 caps for England since making his debut successful 2016 and been portion of 2 British and Irish Lions tours, is regularly mentioned arsenic a campaigner to skipper astatine a higher level.

It is not a imaginable he is entertaining astatine nan moment.

"That position is held by my friend and team-mate Jamie George," he said of nan England role.

"I'm not commenting connected different man's occupation - I’ve hardly started this one. I want to springiness my champion to this and spot wherever we go."

Excluding nan 2 seasons affected by their 2019 points conclusion and consequent relegation, Saracens' past run was nan first clip they person grounded to make nan Premiership last since 2017.

They return connected Gloucester astatine Kingsholm successful their play opener connected Saturday.