Maro Itoje has revealed exactly when he plans to retire from rugby, admitting he believes there is only one Rugby World Cup left in his career.
The Saracens lock, one of England’s most decorated players, has won multiple Premiership titles, toured with the British & Irish Lions and established himself as one of the game’s leading figures.
The revelation comes after Itoje was left out of England’s squad for this summer’s Nations Championship. Head coach Steve Borthwick opted to rest his captain following an enormous workload over the past two seasons, meaning he will miss Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
With a summer off to recharge, Itoje is already looking further ahead to how he wants his remarkable career to end.
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“I want to go out on my terms”
Speaking to The Times in July 2025, Itoje revealed he already has a clear retirement plan.
The England captain intends to retire at the age of 35, bringing the curtain down on his career in 2029.
“When I’m 35. That’s a healthy age to retire. It’s a good age to throw yourself at a new challenge and it gives me a good four years to really dip into the rugby.
“I don’t want to leave rugby when I’m clinging on. I want to go out on my terms, while I’m fit.”
It’s a typically measured approach from a player who has built his career on setting the highest standards both on and off the pitch.
Summer break after heavy workload
Rather than leading England this July, Itoje will spend the summer recovering after an intense run of rugby.
The 31-year-old has been rested by Steve Borthwick after captaining England through the Six Nations and featuring heavily for Saracens, with the RFU keen to carefully manage his minutes ahead of a crucial 2026 campaign.
His absence leaves England without their skipper for this month’s Nations Championship fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, while also giving several younger second rows the opportunity to impress.
One final World Cup mission
If everything goes to plan, Itoje will return refreshed and lead England into the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which he believes will be the final World Cup of his career.
For a player who burst onto the international scene as a 21-year-old sensation and has become one of England’s defining players, the countdown to 2029 has already begun.
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