Itoje to replace Farrell as Saracens captain

Maro Itoje (left) and Owen Farrell won five Premierships and three European Champions Cups together for Saracens

England forward Maro Itoje has been named as captain of Saracens ahead of the new Premiership season.

Itoje, 29, replaces Owen Farrell, who has moved to Racing 92 in France after nearly 16 years of playing for the north London club.

The second rower, who has 84 England caps, made his Saracens debut in 2013.

“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be asked to captain this special club," he told the club's website.

"I love this club and I feel that we are in a very exciting place with the talent and the people here, the energy we have and the direction we are going."

Saracens were fourth in the Premiership last term and start their campaign away to Gloucester on 21 September.

Maro Itoje has played 181 games for Saracens since his debut in 2013

'Epitome of Sarries player'

Itoje, who signed a long-term contract in January, has made 181 appearances for Sarries since his debut as a teenager and he has won five Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups in that time.

But this will be a new era at StoneX Stadium with Farrell's departure, along with those of the Vunipola brothers and the retirements of Alex Lewington and Sean Maitland, who all made significant contributions to their golden run of success.

However, for director of rugby Mark McCall, Itoje was the obvious choice to drive the new-look team on the field.

"You don’t come across many people like Maro," said McCall.

"From his early days in our academy, at 14 years old, we all knew we were witnessing the development of someone special.

"He is the epitome of a Saracens player: fiercely dedicated to his craft, kind and compassionate to his teammates, and diligent in pursuing his education and charity work away from the field. He has always led by example."