England captain Maro Itoje stood down from rugby with immediate effect

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since England’s win over Argentina at the end of November and, while he was initially expected to feature this month, Saracens have now opted for a more cautious approach, standing him down until after the new year.

“Maro is still carrying an injury from the autumn so we don’t expect to see him for a while. The time scale is a little bit vague at the moment,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

“He’s got a chance of being back for the Leicester Tigers game which is the first week of January maybe. Somewhere around then.”

Itoje has not required surgery, but the extended absence comes after a heavy workload at international level, having captained the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia earlier this year.

That schedule also saw him begin the Premiership campaign late, missing Saracens’ opening three league fixtures. His next appearance is now most likely to come against Leicester Tigers on 4 January, or in the Investec Champions Cup clash with Toulouse the following week.

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!