England captain Maro Itoje has branded Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claims that the UK has been ‘colonised by immigrants’ ridiculous.
The billionaire Manchester United co-owner made the comments this week and claimed Keir Starmer is ‘too nice’ to stabilise the UK economy.
Itoje has previously visited the Prime Minister at Downing Street and hit back at Ratcliffe’s remarks on the eve of England’s Calcutta Cup clash in Scotland.
‘Obviously I don’t condone the language that he used,’ said Itoje. ‘I think, if I’ve read correctly, he has apologised for his comments. I think, naturally, I am of Nigerian descent. I was born in this country, but of Nigerian descent.
‘And I think it’s ridiculous to say that Great Britain has been colonised by immigrants, because that is so far from the truth. So, yeah, I think it’s wrong.’
Itoje is the third black England captain after Jason Robinson and Courtney Lawes.
He was speaking a day before leading England into the huge clash at Murrayfield, which could be their 13th consecutive victory. Itoje will return to the starting team after missing last week’s victory over Wales for his mother’s funeral.
England have not won at Murrayfield since 2020 but confidence is high after recent wins over the likes of New Zealand and Australia.
Maro Itoje returns to the England starting XV after his mother’s funeral
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments have caused major controversy
On the game, Itoje said: ‘Scotland are a good team, they possess a number of threats. For me, it is not about dwelling too much on previous history.
‘This is an opportunity for us a group to create new history, this is an opportunity for us to be the type of England team we want to be going to these amazing stadiums and performing well. That is the positive message we want to try and reinforce.’
Addressing the Murrayfield reception, he joked: ‘It is not that hostile! They like us here. Every captain has a slight style, here is not necessarily the forum to discuss all of that but when you play away from home you generally have to be sharper.
‘There are things that happen you just have to roll with, there are things that happen that you just take on the chin and make sure you are bullet proof to the scenarios.’
England cruised to a 48-7 win over Wales in the opening round of the Six Nations
Scotland’s recent dominance in the Calcutta Cup has been thanks to the magic touch of Finn Russell, while the rivalry has also been loaded with niggle.
No 10 George Ford was targeted by Ryan Wilson in the tunnel, while former coach Eddie Jones was abused by supporters.
‘I want us to be aggressive, accurate, play with confidence,’ said Itoje. ‘Saturday is going to be a very physical game. Every time we play them and every time we play them up here it’s always a physical game.
‘I just want us to be confident; I want us to be the aggressors and take pride in how we play. Just put ourselves on the front foot. Attack the game.
‘We’ve built confidence throughout this last week and previous games and the more we are together it feels like we are pushing in the right direction, and I want us to continue in that spirit.’
