The Saracens player has said that in recent years, his faith has moved from the background to the centre of his life.
Once a self-described “lukewarm Christian”, Itoje said he now prioritises living by biblical values. “I was probably someone who went to church but was not really living the principles or values of it that deeply, but I have always been a believer,” he told BBC Sport.
Itoje, who’s also captain for the English national team and the British & Irish Lions, said his leadership in the sport is rooted in his relationship with God. “The humility that I have tried to embody throughout my life definitely comes from knowing that everything I have has been a gift, not by my own doing, but by the guy upstairs,” he said.
That relationship continues to shape his daily habits. While on tour, he intends to maintain his routine of Bible reading, prayer, and regular Bible studies.
“I try to have a daily amount of time that I spend, whether that is reading the Bible or praying, ideally both,” he said. “I also try and do Bible study once or twice a week at least. I’m going to try and maintain the system I have over in Australia, with Zoom and WhatsApp video calls.”
The 30-year-old said his faith also gives him perspective in the face of the unpredictability of elite sport.
“You have to just stay as consistent as possible through your actions and hope, through it all, you end up in the place you are supposed to be,” he said.
As he reflected on his journey to leadership, Itoje said: “God’s timing is always the best time.”
When he was unveiled as Lions captain earlier this year, he revealed he had missed Bible study to attend the event. And when he was named England captain in January, one of the first people he told was his pastor.
