Maro Itoje says taking a summer break has helped him return better for England, and he backs more top players considering time off. He describes feeling “very weird” watching England play from afar, but believes a period to recharge can prolong careers and support performance.
Itoje says he was rested from England’s three July Nations Championship games to take a “mini sabbatical” arranged by national coach Steve Borthwick. The Guardian adds that Itoje had a rare full pre-season with Saracens and is now benefiting from what he calls “taking a breath” after an intense year across club and international duties. Yahoo Sports and The Independent both report he does not regret the break and framed it as a mental and physical reset.
Across the coverage, the outlets agree on the key theme: Itoje’s rest is tied to recovery and readiness ahead of the coming season, with context including his leadership responsibilities and personal circumstances mentioned by The Guardian.
