England lock set for new Saracens contract

Despite interest from numerous French sides, Saracens are certain that Maro Itoje won’t leave the London-based club.
The 24-year-old’s contract is set to end in the summer, but his consistent selection for England will be a factor that keeps him in the country.
He signed his last contract in 2016 and since then gained himself a starting spot in all three tests against New Zealand for the British and Irish Lions.
Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall has highlighted what stage the discussions are at and heaped praise on the second rower.
“It is dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s as far as I know. I think talks are really, really positive,” McCall told the Evening Standard.
“I suppose over the next month or two we hope to have some good news there.
“He is obviously an incredible player, everybody knows that, but it is his consistency around the training ground which is the most impressive thing.
“He comes in every day wanting to improve and get better. He is very consistent with his mood.
“In every training session he is the one setting an incredible example all of the time, either vocally or with his actions.
“He is the kind of person you want around your club.”
Itoje progressed through the Saracens Academy to sign his first professional contract in 2012, when he was just 17-years-old.
MATT WALKER