Itoje makes England vow amid rebel league reports

Maro Itoje says playing for England is "the Mecca" for him and his team-mates after reports a rebel breakaway league is attempting to sign up the game's superstars.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has a policy of only selecting players for the national team from English clubs, meaning joining any global start-up competition would put a Test career on hold.

"I don't really know any of the details of it as yet, but wearing this rose is extremely important to me and my team-mates," said Itoje, who added that he first heard of a potential breakaway league via media reports.

"Playing for England is the Mecca."

In October, second row Itoje was announced among a group of players to sign a landmark Elite Player Squad contract with the RFU, giving the national team greater control over their preparation and conditioning.

The 30-year-old also agreed a new long-term deal with Saracens in January and was named captain of the club at the start of this season.

According to the Times, the proposed new league would consist of eight men’s franchise teams, playing a 14-round globe-trotting season, with each set of games being held in a different city.

The reports suggest the lure of money - with 40 £1m-a-season contracts reportedly on offer for marquee players - and greater periods of rest, will attract big names.

The English Premiership currently has an 18-round regular season, with post-season play-offs and European action adding to player schedules. The French Top 14 has even higher demands with 26 regular-season games for each club.

While a new global tournament would be staged away from international windows, the different selection policies of each nation would affect whether those involved could play Test rugby.

Five of South Africa's starting XV in their win over England on Saturday play their club rugby in Japan, with coach Rassie Erasmus free to select players from around the globe.

However, New Zealand and Ireland, like England, only select players playing in their domestic league, meaning that any players who join a rebel league would be ineligible under current policy.

Wales and Australia have less stringent restrictions on overseas players coming into their national set-up.