Maro Itoje agrees Saracens extension to keep England career open

Maro Itoje has agreed a contract extension with Saracens beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup, keeping the England captain available for international selection. Gavin Mairs reported via Yahoo Sports that Brendan Venter, Saracens' head of culture and technical director, confirmed the agreement after French clubs had expressed interest in signing the second row.

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The decision has a direct consequence for Itoje's Test career because the Rugby Football Union does not select overseas-based players. BBC Sport's earlier report on the negotiations explained that a move to France would put his England appearances on hold. Remaining with Saracens avoids that restriction, although a domestic contract does not itself guarantee selection for future international matches.

The Guardian reported that the new agreement is believed to run until 2029. That end date remains a reported detail rather than a formally established term in the available coverage. Mairs' report confirmed the broader commitment beyond next year's World Cup and cited Venter as the source that terms had been agreed with the club.

Itoje's workload has also been a consideration for club and country. According to BBC Sport, he was rested for England's summer matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina under an agreement between the national side and clubs after several demanding seasons. Staying in domestic rugby also leaves him eligible for an enhanced England contract, the BBC reported in its account of the talks.

The extension continues an association that began with his senior Saracens debut in 2013. In its announcement of his previous contract in January 2024, the club recorded five Premiership titles and three European titles among his achievements. It also noted his European Player of the Year award in 2016 and his progression from a young cup-winning captain into a regular first-team player.

Saracens' 2024 announcement described Itoje's development from an academy prospect into an international figure, with experience at two World Cups and on the 2017 and 2021 British and Irish Lions tours. The latest agreement retains that experience at the club while leaving the route to further England appearances open beyond the next World Cup cycle.