Saracens in talks over Itoje extension

Saracens hope to extend Maro Itoje's deal amid reported interest from Top 14 clubs, which could spell the end of the England captain's Test career. Itoje has won 102 England caps since making his debut in the 2016 Six Nations Saracens are hopeful of extending Maro Itoje's deal amid reported interest from Top 14 clubs, which could spell the end of the England captain's Test career. Discussions are under way to extend Itoje's Saracens stay beyond its current expiry after next year's Rugby World Cup. However, the second row will be 33 by the end of the tournament and faces potentially his final chance to take up longstanding interest in him from across the Channel.

Any move to France would put Itoje's Test career on hold, with the Rugby Football Union having a policy of not selecting overseas-based players. French newspaper Midi-Olympique claims European champions Bordeaux-Begles and Perpignan are among those to have been alerted to Itoje's potential availability, external. While Saracens are optimistic of reaching a new agreement with Itoje, they are aware they are competing with Top 14 clubs with more spending power. The headline salary cap in the French top flight stands at 11m euros (£9.2m), which is significantly higher than the Prem's equivalent figure of £6.4m. The Top 14 also benefits from a more lucrative broadcast