Back in January 2015, an Ireland Wolfhounds game against England Saxons threw two powerful, athletic locks into direct opposition.
Maro Itoje was only a year older than his jersey number, 19, and he came on early in the game after an injury to James Gaskell.
The young Saracens forward was thrown up against two Irish players that already had plenty of Test experience – Mike McCarthy and Iain Henderson.
McCarthy told The Hard Yards [from 42:00] all about that game and, in talking about the qualities both me possess, has us excited about the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
“Itoje has got a huge ahead of him,” said McCarthy, “and he’s adding strings to his bow all the time.
“He’s just started calling the lineouts. There were a few injuries to the Saracens team early this season and, for a couple of months, was calling the lineouts there. He obviously did such a good job that he did it for England in the last games of the Six Nations. For a young lad of 22, to be doing that in Test rugby is such a huge responsibility.”
McCarthy made his Ireland debut at 29 and he feels Itoje will be truly in his prime by the time the next Lions tour comes around. Right now though, there are very few flaws in his game.
The Leinster lock agrees with Ronan O’Gara, that Itoje is well on his way to becoming the world’s best player. McCarthy continued:
“Maro will be untouchable in a few years but that’s the same with Iain Henderson… I remember looking at them back in the Wolfhounds and Saxons game and thinking, ‘There’s two big stags going at it’.
“They’re two phenomenal specimens. I’ve mentioned their size and strength. They have a real physical presence and the scary thing is, they’re only going to get bigger and stronger.”
With Itoje getting his head around lineout calls, there is the prospect of Warren Gatland pairing the two men up in his second row during the Lions tour.
Imagine that – Henderson and Itoje going up against the All Blacks’ Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. Good God.
