Maro Itoje says playing for England is the priority for him and his international team-mates amid reports of a rebel league that would prevent him playing Test rugby if he joined.

Maro Itoje says representing England will always remain his “mecca” after the emergence of a breakaway league that threatens to split the sport apart.

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,

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.

After a torrid week for Eddie Jones, buffeted by claims in Danny Care’s memoir that he presided over a seven-year reign of terror, it could be tempting for England to purge any memory of their allegedly tyrannical former master.

Maro Itoje insists England are determined to make amends after their autumn blues continued with a dramatic 42-37 defeat by Australia at Allianz Stadium. World champions South Africa are the daunting assignment facing Steve Borthwick’s men next Saturday as they look to regroup following defeats by New Zealand and the Wallabies.