Maro Itoje

Coming up, you'll hear from some big name stars from the world of sport that dropped by today, including Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness.

We get the thoughts of the England captain, Maro Itoje, and England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson on Steve Borthwick's contract renewal.

And we finally ask Teddy Sheringham whether Michael Carrick is the right man to win Manchester United the top honors.

This is Outspoken.

[laughs] I need to give us a wave as well.

So Sam, if you're here, give your brother a wave.

Uh, we're live at Canary Wharf on the BGC trading floor, and I'm delighted to say we are joined by Maro Itoje, the England, uh, rugby union captain.

Thank you very much for coming to join us.

He cares about this year.

And then you've got the talent in that Saracens team from Care, Theo Dan, Jamie George, George Martin's gone there, Maro Itoje, Ezeala, Ben Earl, Barbary, Thomas Williams.

Like, you think about all those, that pack, the back line's, like, got so exciting talent, young guys coming through.

I think that Venter's there to squeeze every last drop out of this playing group for a year.

A lot of Saracens, as you say, have had some good summers, and hopefully we'll carry it through and move forward as we go into the season.

And of course, Harriet, the benefit of that as well is the fact that Maro Itoje had a summer off, and we have to say congratulations to Maro 'cause obviously his wife, I believe they're expecting now.

He's had a pretty, [laughs] pretty full on year just gone.

He looks like he's gonna have a pretty full on year coming up.

And, you know, Ampsfield have been a- Very intrinsic in the dis- in the development of players like Jack Bracken and Charlie Bracken, Tobias and Angus and whatever, they've all been up the M1 to Bedfordshire and been involved in that organization.

So we've gotta say a huge out of thanks to Dave Walden and the guys there at Ampthill, 'cause they've done a great job.

But I mean, what sort of side do you think they're gonna put out? Are they gonna put out a team that's a bit more laden with some stars who need a bit of a, a start up before the league season starts? Or do you think they're just gonna continue doing what, what we're doing and just maybe bring in an Owen Farrell or a, uh, well, if Jamie George is fit or Maro Itoje, whoever it may be, just to...

Or a George Martin, just to see how they go.

This is a...

Recently, Maro Itoje, one of the, the, one of the best, most decorated players in English rugby.

Uh, I think he's an amazing player.

Yeah.

We've got some mega guests on the way.

None other than Finn Russell, Maro Itoje, and Bernard Leanssen van Rensburg.

You're gonna scarper before we speak to van Rensburg, aren't you, Danny?

No, I'll s- I'll have a look, look at him if you want.

Come on.

It's all within the same year.

Maro Itoje's here, by the way.

Yeah.

And brother, they are singing with such passion for that national anthem, and they're throwing their hands, and they're singing, their, their mouth's wide open, singing as loud as they can.

Now, I don't know if that was just them or if it was them being in character, but I'm sitting there watching this going, "This is freaking amazing." There's a guy, Maro Itoje, a, a wonderful rugby player, plays for England, and when he sings the national anthem, he just sits there and just sings with, like, the fervor like this is the greatest song he's ever heard.

If you're an English fan, you gotta sit there and go, "I love that guy." That guy is playing for his country and loves it.

Same thing with these Mexican wrestlers that I saw down there because Americans generally don't sing to the national anthem.

So mine, I've got JJ Van Der Mesh at 10, Hugh Tizard 9, Arthur Clarke 8, Staff Jenkins 7, John Klein 6, George Martin 5, Zambanin 4, Alex Coles 3, Olly Chessham 2, and Mara Etosha 1.

Yep, I've gone for Ben Bamber at 10, Van Der Mesh at 9, Daph Jenkins at 8, Arthur Clarke at 7, Jean Klein at 6, George Martin at 5, Zanman in 4, Alex Coles at 3, Kamaru Itoje at 2, and Oli Chessham at 1.

And then I've got Nika Zikwe at 10, Van Der Mesh at 9, Arthur Clarke at 8, Daph Jenkins at 7, Jean Klein at 6, George Martin at 5, Zanman in at 4, Oli Chessham at 3, Alex Coles at 2, and Itoje at 1.

Yeah, I mean, it kind of goes to show there's consensus there because we all have one different player.

Yeah, the top eight, by the way.

Yeah.

Handed off to Itoje, and then we guys get scored in the corner.

Yeah.

Yeah.