Maro Itoje’s Leadership Secrets, The Player Most Likely To Go On 'Love Island' & England Career | The SLMan Podcast

Harvey James and Tunde sit down with Maro Itoje – captain of England, Saracens and the 2025 British & Irish Lions – for a wide-ranging conversation on rugby, leadership, style and what it really takes to perform at the highest level.

Maro shares his approach to leadership, why authenticity and leading by example matter and what people misunderstand about ambition and the work required to stay at the top. He also reveals how he gets himself into the right headspace before a match, why sleep is still his ultimate recovery tool and what’s actually going through his mind during the haka.

Elsewhere, expect plenty on life away from the pitch – from the best-dressed rugby players and Maro’s biggest fashion regrets to books, philanthropy and his work with The Pearl Fund. Plus, he breaks down exactly what an elite rugby player eats in a day and reveals which England teammates are most likely to go on Love Island, ignore the group chat or have a seven-step grooming routine.

PANEL

Harvey James | @harvjam | https://www.instagram.com/harvjam/

Wax London Russell Selvedge Jeans | https://on.ltk.com/+xXWse2ovbwzob0QSZwBZUQ

Samsøe Samsøe Sadundee Loafer | https://www.samsoe.com/en-GB/product/sadundee-loafer-16338-delicioso

Maro Itoje | @maroitoje | https://www.instagram.com/maroitoje/

AS Colour Joggers | https://ascolour.co.uk/relax-joggers-5932/

AS Colour Crew | https://ascolour.co.uk/premium-crew-5121/

Tunde Ogunsina | @tundeogun | https://www.instagram.com/tundeogun/

Topman Henley T-Shirt | https://on.ltk.com/+r-KM0r8yh3taaTvo28yIkA

Abercrombie & Fitch Baggy Jean | https://on.ltk.com/+l2QualYIf7Q9uI5vKAh1hA

Our Legacy Boots | https://on.ltk.com/+GC-o4iJYkbPCfxuP0XKm7w

THINGS WE LOVE

Bagatelle | https://bagatelle.com/venues/london/

Dover Street Counter | https://www.doverstreetcounter.com/

FASHION FINDS

La Roche Posay Effaclar Supramolecular Moisturiser | https://on.ltk.com/+J03AYF4CKGcqgtqTRaCE6w

Arket Henley Shirt | https://on.ltk.com/+L9XD3iOzL7r2HnsJVyVnng

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama | https://www.waterstones.com/book/dreams-from-my-father/barack-obama/9781782119258

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch | https://www.waterstones.com/book/brit-ish/afua-hirsch/9781784705039

Natives by Akala | https://www.waterstones.com/book/natives/akala/9781473661233

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Echebe | https://www.waterstones.com/book/natives/akala/9781473661233

The Pearl Fund | https://www.instagram.com/thepearlfund/