RUGBY: Nigerian-born Maro Itoje Makes England Rugby World Cup Squad

Maro Itoje leads the charge of the bolters into England’s training squad as the rookie Saracens forward seeks to graduate from junior World Cup glory last year to a place at the senior event this year.

The 20-year-old lock-cum-flanker has been one of the revelations of this club season after making his mark as captain of the national Under 20 side who retained their global title in Auckland 11 months ago.

His startling rise has continued at such a rate that, after a first appearance for the Saxons in January — against the Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork — he has forced his way into Stuart Lancaster’s plans. 

Saracens lock Maro Itoje (IN BLACK) attempts to charge down Exeter scrum half Will Chudley's box kick 

The 20-year-old lock-cum-flanker has been a revelation for Mark McCall's outfit this season 

Itoje's performances for Saracens earned a place in the Saxons squad to face Ireland Wolfhounds in March 

ENGLAND’S 50-MAN WORLD CUP TRAINING SQUAD

Full backs: Mike Brown, Alex Goode

Wings: Chris Ashton, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Jonny May, Marland Yarde, David Strettle.

Centres: Luther Burrell, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt, Henry Slade, Billy Twelvetrees, Kyle Eastmond, Sam Burgess, Elliot Daly.

Fly-halves: George Ford, Owen Farrell, Danny Cipriani, Stephen Myler.

Scrum halves: Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth, Lee Dickson.

Props: Dan Cole, Joe Marler, David Wilson, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Alex Corbisiero, Matt Mullan.

Hookers: Dylan Hartley, Tom Youngs, Rob Webber, Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Second row: Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, George Kruis, Dave Attwood, Maro Itoje, Ed Slater.

Back row: Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Wood, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola, Nick Easter, Ben Morgan, Matt Kvesic, Calum Clark.

Injured players who could be added when fit: Tom Croft (Leicester flanker), Joe Simpson (Wasps scrum-half)

Itjoje captained the England U20 side the Junior World Championship title in New Zealand last year 

Itoje’s selection was a notable highlight of Wednesday’s occasion at Twickenham.

The head coach set the scene for the final countdown to a tournament here which will define his regime and potentially galvanise the sport in this country.

Also of widespread interest will be the presence of Sam Burgess, Chris Ashton and David Strettle and the absence of two celebrated exiles in France — Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon — in support of the RFU’s policy against picking players based abroad.

Itoje’s outstanding form for Saracens has convinced the England management he is worth assessing during the training camp which starts at the end of next month.

As well as offering power and athleticism, his versatility is a useful trump card as the coaches consider how to cover as many bases as possible in their final squad of 31. 

Captain Chris Robshaw, Joe Marler and James Haskell (L-R) poses in England's World Cup training kit