'Ate us alive' - England's win ended the Itoje vs Ryan debate as fans crown the winner the future Lions captain
Maro Itoje was crowned the official man-of-the-match in England’s win over Ireland in the Pool A clash of the Autumn Nations Cup, after an outstanding display by the second rower at Twickenham.
The 26-year-old made a nuisance of himself at line out and at the breakdown, disrupting Ireland’s attack while punishing them behind the gain line with dominant hits, delivering the type of performance he is renown for.
England’s lock made 25 tackles, missing none, whilst also winning two of England’s seven turnovers. England’s pack powered over Ireland after they built an 18-0 lead on the back of two tries to Jonny May before a late try to Jacob Stockdale added some respectability to the scoreboard for Ireland.
Itoje’s ‘take no prisoners’ attitude was praised by fans, who described him as ‘absolutely relentless in defence’ and ‘the greatest second row in the modern game’. Irish fans said that he ‘ate us alive’ as they could only watch their side fall to England for the fourth time in a row.
Top player Maro Itoje, takes no prisoners: this guy was built for this role. Special mention to Jonny May mention, full of running…#ENGvIRE
— Joshua Nagenda (@joshuanagenda) November 21, 2020
Itoje truly deserved Player of the Match. He never gives up the fight. Absolutely relentless in defence. What a leader! #ENGvIRE
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) November 21, 2020
Maro Itoje, world class. Consistently world class.
Not sure why he doesn’t get the respect from some rugby fans, maybe because he plays for Saracens and brings so much energy, but he is phenomenal.
Unbelievable athlete and rugby player. #ENGvIRE #AutumnNationsCup
— Mana Rugby (@mana_rugby) November 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/HugoGordon1/status/1330193205669859328
Maro Itoje greatest 2nd row of the modern game. #ENGvIRE
— Felix Unger (@Husker_Ju) November 21, 2020
Jonny May: 18
Maro Itoje defence: 7#ENGvIRE— Alex Skitt (@alexBskitt) November 21, 2020
Irish lineout a major issue. Itoje and Launchbury spoiling and refusing to give them a foundation to build on in the 22 #ENGvIRE
— Nick (@Winn1) November 21, 2020
Many fans were intrigued by the battle up front between Maro Itoje and Ireland’s new captain James Ryan, who are both tipped to be the first choice Lions second row in 2021 in South Africa.
Ryan had delivered an impressive performance in a losing side the last time the two sides met earlier in the year at Twickenham, elevating his stock as one of Europe’s premier locks. Itoje, widely regarded as Europe’s best, relished the challenge against the man challenging him for his title.
English fans weren’t happy with the assertion that Ryan had reached the same level as Itoje, claiming Irish fans had ‘some audacity’ for doing so and that this match could finally put to bed the debate between the two.
The audacity of the Irish calling James Ryan as good as Itoje. Itoje teaching him how a lock plays today
— Matt (@MattRawlinson96) November 21, 2020
Can people stop talking about Ryan in the same breath as Itoje now? They’re not even close!#ENGvIRE
— Ed Tucker (@Teddybreath) November 21, 2020
Is there a game that Maro Itoje hasn't dominated James Ryan? Nothing against Ryan, just shows how good Itoje is? #ENGvIRE
— Adam?? (@ajsrugby) November 21, 2020
James Ryan must have nightmares about Maro Itoje. #ENGvIRE
— Stuart Turner (@OnlyOneT) November 21, 2020
Itoje again, absolutely grounding Ryan, such a strong player in contact #ENGvIRE
— James David Stokes ? (@JamesStokesLX) November 21, 2020
One fan was in disbelief about the assertion of Ryan as the next captain of the British & Irish Lions, with the Irish lock ‘not a guaranteed starter’ unlike Itoje who is seen as being in a different league to the Leinster-product.
A couple of weeks ago on a twitter discussion about who will captain the next Lions team. I couldn’t believe some ppl suggesting James Ryan. A v good player he surely is but like most current 2nd rows not in the same league as Itoje& unlike itoje is not a guaranteed lions starter pic.twitter.com/CWogZhNLsO
— Joe Healy (@joehealyfarmer) November 21, 2020
Naturally, the debate skewed towards the Lions tour where many fans were ready to claim Itoje as the next Lions captain. One fan claimed it would be like Martin Johnson in ’97, who famously lifted the Lions to a successful tour of South Africa, while another claimed he should ‘definitely’ be the captain in South Africa with ‘no one even close’.
As things stand, Mako, George, Itoje and the back row are looking like 6 of the starting Lions pack in South Africa. Could all change in a few months time though #ENGvIRE
— David Summers (@davidsummers64) November 21, 2020
Itoje for Lions captain? Like Johnson in 97….#ENGvIRE
— Lee Bridgeman (@Lee_A_Bridgeman) November 21, 2020
Most important thing I took from the Victory over Ireland is that Itoje should definitely Captain the Lions in South Africa. #ENGvIRE #AutumnNationsCup
— Rob Southwell (@HEELSouthwell) November 21, 2020
Itoje has gotta be Lions captain surely #ENGvIRE
— caz ? (@carysjordaan) November 21, 2020
Itoje is a lock for British and Irish Lions captain, no one even close #ENGvIRE
— N. Hollis (@SecondRowSaint) November 21, 2020
Maro Itoje building step by step his Lion's captancy… what an impact he had today!
— DanPatRugby (@DanPatRugby) November 21, 2020
After recieving his man-of-the-match award, Itoje said the game was a building block for his side who are moving in the right direction.
“It was a good game,” he said, “We started the first half really well and Ireland had their purple patch at the beginning of the second half and we kind of wrestled thereafter.
“I think it’s another step forward. Game on game we’re building and going in the right direction. You can’t take wins for granted so I’m really happy with that.
“I think our relentless application gets our forward pack going – we pride ourselves in that area and today was just another opportunity to show it.”
What a performance ?@maroitoje? ?#QuilterInternationals #ENGvIRE #AutumnNationsCup pic.twitter.com/Fehm6bdoZF
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 21, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
162 comments so far and counting. i didn't realize that rugby fans are on the way to join the football brothers. what is the point to share personal opinion only to get all this shi*? it seems IRB bosses are doing the great job by killing the spirit of the game both on and outside the pitch. too sad, indeed. btw, was there anything on eben’s point of view from the boys in green, who he mentioned?
163 Go to commentsJob done guys. Great win in a game where things can quickly go wrong.
1 Go to commentsAlex Sanderson fantastic coach and person .So pleased he has signed another contract great days ahead for Sale under his leadership.
1 Go to commentsAndy Goode cant kick to 12
163 Go to commentsDoxed himself. Great work Johnny. You are well suited to the Saders
1 Go to comments_Best game players _
1 Go to commentsWho's Jarrad Hohepa?
1 Go to commentsSo let me get this straight. Say you have the dominant scrum. You are 99% sure you can go for a scrum pushover try on the line to win the game. The opposition knows it too. They give away a silly tap kick instead. You are now not allowed to scrum. This is ridiculous! *%@ing the game up as usual! The fact that the attacking teams are not allowed to scrum from a held up over the line is just as ridiculous. Really world rugby? Careful people might start a rebel league called True Rugby or Real Rugby.
76 Go to comments12 subs during a game? How has that been allowed to happen NB? I hate when the game goes in this monopolistic direction closing up shop, it just becomes non sport. Btw have you seen anything of how Liam Coltman was tracking for Lyon? He has just signed to return to Otago though we have a couple of young hookers developing here. He was a popular gentle natured character down here and I’m glad to see him back but maybe he will be a mentor primarily?
11 Go to commentsGreat breakdown and the global politics always confuses me a little. The southern hemisphere seems to be left out a bit but I wouldn’t even know where to start with fixing it. Club challenge could be a step in the right direction
11 Go to commentsSince he coached Free state, from that time onwards, I maintained he was the coach for the Boks. A nice, no nonsense guy with an excellent brain, who gets results.
11 Go to commentswell - they only played against 14 men and had the TMO team on their side - and still should have lost… so actually that makes sense.
35 Go to commentsSouthern hemisphere Rugby is exactly that, boring. Northern Hemisphere Rugby is soooo much more entertaining and better with better players.
2 Go to commentsIf he was to be cited for a dangerous behavior, then it’s natural that he should be. Then NTamack too, yes? And I’ll add a good whataboutism - Yeandle eye-gouging on Richie Arnold: not cited. Eye-gouging. Not high tackle. Eye-gouging. It was on French TV, with French TV directors.
5 Go to commentsReally poorly written rambling piece ..
11 Go to commentsIt was so boring
2 Go to commentspersonally I’d go with : 1. France 2. NZ 3. England 4. Ireland 5. Scotland
35 Go to commentsAndy everything becomes easier with experience therefor counting etc straight after a match becomes easier when you have 100+ caps vs 17 which is the experience you speak from.
163 Go to commentsGetting rid of the Dupont Law is a good thing and ought to have been done months ago! Officially getting rid of the croc roll is a good thing. The law about no scrums from a short arm is well intended in terms of speeding the game up but it’s an overreaction to a clever yet calculated gamble that could have blow up in South Africa’s face if they conceded a penalty from the scrum that was set after Willemse took claimed the mark in the World Cup QF.
76 Go to commentsRassie The GOAT
11 Go to comments