England star Maro Itoje is the latest player to reveal he suffered racial abuse in the game

Maro Itoje revealed on Wednesday that he has been subjected to racist abuse in English rugby in the wake of the RFU’s damning discrimination report and admitted it is now difficult for the country’s top stars to turn down lucrative offers abroad .

Saracen striker Itoje weighed in on two of the biggest talking points dominating the national game right now ahead of his team’s Champions Cup quarter-final crunch with La Rochelle.

On Tuesday, England rugby’s governing body said players at every level of the game have faced racism. The RFU inquiry also confirmed revelations made by former center of England Luther Burrell in The Mail on Sunday about abuses of slavery and race after questioning 500 people.

‘That’s obviously not a nice place to be. That’s not what we want in our sport,” Itoje said. “We have to try to eliminate this from our sport, our game and our lives. As a society, we sometimes struggle with that. I do think there are improvements.

“This is a further reminder that we need to keep fighting this and make sure we hold each other accountable.” Itoje continued, “I’ve had a few experiences where things weren’t exactly the way I wanted them to be. I’ve never felt like my skin color held me back in terms of selection. But I think over my time there have been occasions with individuals who were below par.

“You challenge the situation. The thing with racism sometimes is that it’s not necessarily about intent, because a lot of people in my experience don’t realize that what they’re saying or doing is racist until you actually explain it to them.

“Bringing attention to the problem, talking about it and keeping it in the forefront are all things that help, as is formal education.

“History dictates that incremental things happen over time that bring about change.

Luther Burrell’s revelations of racial abuse throughout his playing career were confirmed by the RFU’s investigation

“The George Floyd moment in 2020 was a moment around the world that brought that issue to the forefront of our minds. The more we can put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, the better we will understand and hopefully solve this problem.’

Asked if the RFU’s Burrell report could be a turning point in stamping out racism in English rugby, Itoje said: ‘I hope so. I certainly hope we can continue to improve in this area and continue to make rugby a much more accessible sport and a much more comfortable sport for all players, regardless of skin color or creed.”

Itoje, 28 and a two-time Lions tourist, is one of England’s key players and in the prime of his career. But he is also one of the members of national coach Steve Borthwick’s squad that has been targeted by French clubs.

The RFU has already seen six veteran players in Luke Cowan-Dickie, David Ribbans, Joe Marchant, Sam Simmonds, Jack Nowell and Jack Willis agree to play in the TOP14 next season. The financial offers in France far exceed the money offered in the Gallagher Premiership as the division tightens its belt after a season of financial turmoil.

Itoje and Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith – two of England rugby’s poster boys – both have contracts expiring in 2024 and are the latest to look into a possible move across the channel.

Current rules, in place since 2011, require England players to appear for Premiership clubs in order to play for the national team, although that is now under increasing pressure. RFU and Premiership bosses nevertheless remain committed to the current status quo.

“I like playing for Saracens. In an ideal world, I would like to spend most, if not the rest, of my career with Saracens,” said Itoje. ‘I want to stay here. I want to continue playing my rugby in England.

Itoje played his entire career for Saracens and joined the club in 2012

Exeter Chiefs and England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie have been lured abroad for next season

“I think it’s good for the game, to have English players in England. But unfortunately at the moment we have a situation where for many reasons there are a number of rules and requirements that make it more and more difficult for English players to stay in England.

“I think we’re seeing an unfortunate trend right now. There are plenty of good England players in their prime who go abroad, which has never happened before in my career.’

Itoje was targeted by numerous major French clubs in 2020 as Saracens were relegated from the Premiership for breaching the salary cap, but stayed put to continue with England.

“Most English players want to stay in England and play their rugby in England. We have to make it more attractive for clubs to have English players,” said Itoje. “We need to find solutions to that problem. All things being equal, I’d really like to be with Saracens.’