
Share
13th August 2020
11:28pm BST

This year's Guinness Six Nations will be concluded in October. (Photo: Visionhaus / Getty Images)[/caption]
The Saracens lock thinks economic matters have been handled far better than social issues.
"The government has borrowed a lot to try and keep the economy afloat. We've just gone into recession but that just shows you the scale of what the government has had to deal with."
With social matters, Itoje remains unimpressed.
"In terms of messaging and communication, I don't think that has been good.
"I think the government could have been a lot clearer. The guidelines on social distancing to this day aren't exactly clear."
In the midst of the pandemic, Itoje wanted to create something special for those on the frontline. He has collaborated with Adidas in designing a bespoke rugby boot that pays tribute to a select XV of key workers.
https://twitter.com/adidasUK/status/1294307247779086339?s=20
"The pandemic has crippled the country economically, but it's also had huge public health ramifications," Itoje said.
"A lot of people have risked their lives to help the wider population, and I think they deserve all the credit for risking their lives. Many of them have even passed away."
[caption id="attachment_246191" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Itoje was part of the Saracens side crowned European champions in 2019. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)[/caption]
He feels the role key workers play goes under-appreciated, with a Thursday night clap only going so far.
"It's definitely not enough," the 25-year-old says.
"Clapping and symbolic gestures are important, but it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is actually valuing them through their pay, healthcare packages and benefits."
Itoje will wear his newly-designed boots this weekend as Saracens resume league action away at Bristol. Despite having been relegated due to financial irregularities, the England man insists heads won't drop.
"We know that we can't gain any more points in the Premiership, so all of our motivation is internal.
"We want to give the best account of ourselves and we also have a quarter-final (Heineken Champions Cup) in which to do this."Explore more on these topics: