Itojeready to follow in steps of Sir Gareth

MARO Itoje has climbed so high so swiftly that he will soon reach a place above the clouds where Gareth Edwards planted a Welsh flag almost 50 years ago.

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England's captain went the distance in the latest Six Nations just as he had done in the previous five since 2020. In 30 matches spanning six ever-present Six Nations, the unsubbable Saracen played 30 consecutive matches from start to finish without interference from injury, indiscipline or replacement.

Itoje has not gone missing in the Six Nations since England beat Ireland 32-20 in Dublin six years ago when a damaged knee forced him off in the second half and out of the finale to the 2019 tournament a week later; the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham which ended in the most astounding of draws, 38-38.

As permanent fixtures go, Itoje is now within striking distance of doing for England in the Six Nations what Edwards, right, did for Wales in the Five. During his long reign over 11 years from the late 1960s until the even later 1970s, the 20th century's supreme scrum-half played 53 consecutive internationals for his country, 45 in the Five Nations.