England will play their first minutes of Six Nations rugby without Maro Itoje on the pitch for almost seven years on Saturday after the captain was named on the bench for their opening game of the campaign against Wales.

Itoje missed the start of England’s preparations for the tournament in Girona to attend his mother Florence’s funeral in Nigeria.

“It’s been difficult, to be honest,” the 2025 British and Irish Lions captain told the Sunday Times, external of his grief.

“It’s been challenging on both the professional and personal front. It’s just the paradox of life.”

Itoje has been an ever-present for England in the Six Nations since the start of the 2020 tournament, playing all 80 minutes in 30 successive matches.

The 31-year-old was however on the bench for England’s autumn win over Fiji.

Hooker Jamie George – Itoje’s Saracens team-mate and predecessor as England captain – will lead the side from the start, with Itoje to take on the role when he comes off the bench.

Alex Coles partners Lions lock Ollie Chessum in the second row.

“We all feel for Maro and his family after the very sad loss of his mum,” coach Steve Borthwick told Rugby Union Weekly.

“We made the decision for this game that it’s best for him to start from the bench.

“I think he is going to have a massive impact. I also know the crowd, when Maro comes to the touchline, will show their appreciation and how much they care for him and his family with a big roar.”

George, whose mother during England’s 2024 Six Nations campaign, had promised England’s squad will rally around Itoje on his return to the set-up.