How Maro Itoje went from poetry-writing Harrow School boy studying politics to England Rugby World Cup finalist
SHOULD Maro Itoje and England get one over the Springboks on Saturday and win the Rugby World Cup final, you may see the North London-born lock shaking his 6ft 5in tail-feather.
The 25-year-old Saracens star, who was man-of-the-match in the Lions epic 19-7 semi-final win over New Zealand, loves to celebrate with a victory dance, according to a former mentor.
Gloucester Rugby's skills coach Rory Teague worked with Itoje at Harrow School, as well as with Saracens and England during a five-year period from 2012-2017.
And if England make history and win their second ever World Cup - he expects Itoje to turn the pitch at the International Stadium Yokohama into a dancefloor.
"He does like a little bit of a dance, he's got some good moves," Teague, 34, told SunSport EXCLUSIVELY.
"When celebrating, it's not unknown for him to show that he's got rhythm in those big bones.
"Hopefully we will be able to see those dance moves on Saturday after the game in Yokohama!"
SCHOOLED PRESTIGOUSLY
Itoje was born in Camden Town to Nigerian parents father Efe, 59, and mother Florence, 60.
They came to Britain to start a new life, initially running a successful butcher's shop in Cricklewood.
Efe soon scored a job working for BP as an oil consultant, specialising in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.
Maro went to St George's School in Harpenden, where Owen Farrell and George Ford were also schooled, before earning a scholarship at the prestigious £14,000-per-term Harrow School.
That was where Teague first clapped eyes on the promising youngster.
He revealed: "The then-director of rugby at Harrow, Jesse Coulson said to me there's this guy in the sixth form who is about to sign for Saracens and is the next big thing.
"So I was made aware of Maro straight away when I joined the school, and he was just so impressionable as soon as you met him.
"He was very polite, very warm and such a driven character when you were in his presence."
GIFTED ACADEMICALLY
But it wasn't just sport that Maro excelled in. A keen writer, he often scribbled down inspirational poems on a notepad to help keep his focus.
And alongside his fledgling rugby career, he studied international politics.
"He applied himself academically during school time and coupled that with playing the necessary development games to put himself in the frame to be taken on by Saracens," Teague said.
"It really was testament to his character that he had the mindset to balance both his academic and sporting aspirations.
"He's really an example to up-and-coming rugby players in how you apply yourself and work towards goals you need to achieve to fulfil your dreams.
"Combining rugby with studies, as he was doing, wasn't easy. But it allowed him to work towards becoming an international rugby player, which is an outstanding achievement."
HE TRAINED WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE
After 10 months at Harrow School, Teague moved to Saracens where he became academy coach in 2013.
"I got a job at Saracens, and had the opportunity to coach Maro professionally for nearly three years," he said.
"There was always a constant. Maro trains with a smile on his face and is a great guy to be around.
"He was very respectful, attentive and diligent, and always listened to the information he was given, which fills a coach with confidence.
"Because of the way he carries himself, he often gets people following his lead too, and players will look up to him and want to work to the same capacity he does.
"He's a leader through his actions, whether that's on the pitch or off it."
LION LEGEND IN THE MAKING
Maro, who describes himself as a liberal feminist, was first called up to the England team in 2016, the same year Teague had a stint as a performance coach for the Lions.
And since making his debut, his stature in the game has risen. A stunning display of power and aggression against the All Blacks last weekend re-affirmed his status as one of rugby's leading lights.
"What that proved was his character and his ability to perform in a high pressure game.
"He won some crucial moments for England in that game, which added to the collective outcome."
Maro's success is not a surprise to Teague, who was impressed with the natural-born athlete's talent from the get-go.
"You could always see he kept his eyes on the prize," he explained.
"He was very conscious of what he needed to do to. First, to make the Saracens team, then to progress to international rugby.
"You could see he was very driven. He wholeheartedly gave it his all balancing his social life, while studying politics and trying to make a career in rugby.
"And you knew whatever task he set his mind on, he would do it with great success. He was intent on not wasting any opportunities that were presented to him.
"I'm not surprised he's one of the senior players going out in a World Cup final, and I'm incredibly happy and proud of him."
HE WILL RAISE HIS GAME
On Saturday at 9am, England fans will be glued to their TVs roaring their country on as they face off against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
Teague is hopeful of a famous win and expects Maro to rise to the occasion.
"Knowing Maro he will want to better that performance in the semi-final," he said.
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"I'm sure he will want to stick to the process and play his part for the team - he's a big team player - and mentally he will be preparing for the game in his own way.
"Maro will want to do everyone back home proud and ensure that his energy and his contributions to the game play a role in England lifting the World Cup.
"I'm hopeful that he will be able to lead us to glory."