The rugby community has rallied around England star Maro Itoje following the heart-wrenching loss of his mother, Florence Itoje, in December 2025. As the sport gears up for the 2026 Six Nations, where Itoje will make his anticipated return against Wales, the emphasis on camaraderie and support has never been more pronounced.
In a touching affair, Itoje is slated to join the fray from the bench after missing the initial England camp to mourn at his mother's funeral. World Cup champion Matt Dawson has lauded the decision by coach Steve Borthwick to ease the pressure on Itoje during such a tumultuous period. "The focus on teamship, camaraderie away from the sport is a mile away from where it was five, ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, for sure," Dawson commented on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.
"They’re just as human as you or I, and they go through the pain and through the joy of life; it’s just so much more understood what is important to those players."
Dawson recalled a past incident involving Ben Cohen, whose father's death was barely acknowledged during camp, a stark contrast to the supportive environment seen today. "And actually, Ben needed support from everybody rather than just a couple, so as terrible as the circumstances are, I think it shows how far all sport has come, not just professionals," he added.
Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan also weighed in on the evolution within rugby, emphasizing the recognition of players as individuals with emotional needs. "We’re dealing with human beings, not just rugby playing machines," Horgan stressed, underlining the importance of mental well-being for peak performance.
The sentiment is a testament to the progress the sport has made, from a time when athletes were expected to perform mechanically without regard to personal hardships. "That wasn’t always there, like ‘you get paid, you do what we tell you do, therefore you will play when we tell you to play and you’ll perform well.’"
Maro Itoje himself has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother, describing her as his "confidant, gist partner, friend, advisor, teacher and my comfort." The Saracens lock expressed his gratitude and sorrow, noting, "She was the glue and heartbeat of our family and she leaves a hole that will never be filled." The profound impact of his loss underscores the broader conversation about the necessity of support and understanding within the high-pressure world of professional sports.
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The rugby community has rallied around England star Maro Itoje following the heart-wrenching loss of his mother, Florence Itoje, in December 2025. As the sport gears up for the 2026 Six Nations, where Itoje will make his anticipated return against Wales, the emphasis on camaraderie and support has never been more pronounced.
In a touching affair, Itoje is slated to join the fray from the bench after missing the initial England camp to mourn at his mother's funeral. World Cup champion Matt Dawson has lauded the decision by coach Steve Borthwick to ease the pressure on Itoje during such a tumultuous period. "The focus on teamship, camaraderie away from the sport is a mile away from where it was five, ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, for sure," Dawson commented on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.
"They’re just as human as you or I, and they go through the pain and through the joy of life; it’s just so much more understood what is important to those players."
Dawson recalled a past incident involving Ben Cohen, whose father's death was barely acknowledged during camp, a stark contrast to the supportive environment seen today. "And actually, Ben needed support from everybody rather than just a couple, so as terrible as the circumstances are, I think it shows how far all sport has come, not just professionals," he added.
Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan also weighed in on the evolution within rugby, emphasizing the recognition of players as individuals with emotional needs. "We’re dealing with human beings, not just rugby playing machines," Horgan stressed, underlining the importance of mental well-being for peak performance.
The sentiment is a testament to the progress the sport has made, from a time when athletes were expected to perform mechanically without regard to personal hardships. "That wasn’t always there, like ‘you get paid, you do what we tell you do, therefore you will play when we tell you to play and you’ll perform well.’"
Maro Itoje himself has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother, describing her as his "confidant, gist partner, friend, advisor, teacher and my comfort." The Saracens lock expressed his gratitude and sorrow, noting, "She was the glue and heartbeat of our family and she leaves a hole that will never be filled." The profound impact of his loss underscores the broader conversation about the necessity of support and understanding within the high-pressure world of professional sports.