ITOJE READY TO ROAR

England skipper urges team-mates to book Lions places by finishing campaign on a high

- By Adam Hathaway

MARO ITOJE has urged his players to roar against Wales today and nail down a place on this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Itoje is a certainty to make the trip but several England players, such as Ben Earl, Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell, are fighting to get on the plane.

Back in 2013 a handful of England stars’ chances of touring went up in smoke, notably captain Chrris Robshaw and Tom Wood, in the final round against the Welsh.

Heading to Cardiff with a Grand Slam on the line, Robshaw’s men were demolished 30-3, sinking their title hopes and blowing their chances of touring under Warren Gatland.