Maro Itoje has said that he is unaware of any plans for a breakaway rugby competition and suggest that he would not jeopardise playing for England rugby should such a venture develop. News broke last week of plans to launch a franchise tournament that would sit outside of rugby’s existing structures,

England's Maro Itoje has said that playing for his country is the “Mecca” amid reports that a LIV Golf-style breakaway league could begin.

Maro Itoje says that representing England will always remain his “mecca” after the emergence of a breakaway league that threatens to split the sport apart. Telegraph Sport first reported news of the development with a small group of UK and US investors hoping to recruit 200 top players to play for eight franchises in Formula One-style major

Playing for England is the Mecca’, says Maro Itoje amid breakaway league plans - Itoje is one of 17 players to have signed enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts with the Rugby Football Union worth £160,