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,

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.