Maro Itoje has emphasized that representing England is “the mecca” of rugby, amidst concerns that top players might leave for a proposed global breakaway league. The idea of an eight-team franchise competition has been circulating, raising questions about the future of international rugby. Itoje, a key player for England for nearly a decade, stated that he was not aware of the discussions surrounding the new league until they emerged in the news last week. Given his prominence in the sport, he would likely be a target for any such breakaway initiative. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has made it clear that players who choose to participate in the breakaway league would not be selected for the national team, reinforcing the importance of playing for England in the eyes of Itoje and other players.