Deadline day: England lock faces Ireland examination if he submits essay on time

Maro Itoje will sit his biggest rugby exam yet with England Saxons on Friday night, but only if he meets his university coursework deadline first.

The talented Saracens lock refused to request an extension on the essay due this week for his politics degree, despite his international rugby commitments.

So while he geared up for his Saxons debut against Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork, the 20-year-old has also had his head buried in the books.