New England captain Maro Itoje says shedding just isn’t what he’s about as his facet put together to open their Six Nations marketing campaign in opposition to Eire on Saturday.

Itoje changed Jamie George as skipper earlier this month after England solely gained 5 of their 12 Checks in 2024.

Steve Borthwick’s facet beat Eire, who’re searching a historic third championship in a row, at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium final yr and will probably be hoping to start out positively in Dublin to assist their bid for a primary Six Nations title since 2020.

“I do not need to lose and shedding just isn’t what I’m about,” Itoje instructed the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.

“There isn’t any higher honour than successful with England. You win along with your membership and that’s particular, however successful with England is a unique kettle of fish.

“I need this workforce to really feel that and obtain that and I believe we are able to.”

Itoje led England to the Below-20 world title in 2014 however solely stepped as much as lead Saracens this season after earlier captain Owen Farrell’s departure to France.

The 30-year-old lock made his debut in England’s 2016 Grand Slam-winning marketing campaign and loved a profitable begin to his worldwide profession below Eddie Jones, reaching the Rugby World Cup closing in 2019.

In a 2021 guide, Jones questioned whether or not Itoje was suited to captaincy, writing that the second row was “very inward-looking” and didn’t “normally affect individuals off the sphere” – a view Itoje later denied.

Courtney Lawes, who captained England throughout their Australia tour in 2022, mentioned Itoje just isn’t a loud talker, exterior in relation to pre-game workforce talks, however the brand new England captain is completely satisfied at hand over these duties to louder squad members.

“If there are swearing obligations I’ll hand that over to the 14 members of the workforce!” Itoje added.

“Everybody has issues to work on. I wish to assume I’m a fairly self-aware individual and I believe I’m humble sufficient to acknowledge the place I want assist from others.”