Itoje issues veiled warning to Exeter Chiefs

Maro Itoje has warned Exeter he is accelerating into the season’s climax at Twickenham where Saracens will attempt to complete the second double in their history.

Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final sees the two outstanding teams in English club rugby meet in the showpiece for the third time in four years.

At the spearhead of Saracens’ bid to retain their title is Itoje, the England lock who has been in magnificent form since recovering from the second of two different knee injuries to have interrupted his season.

And it is the spells in the treatment room that mean he is unaffected by the fatigue that can set in at the end of a campaign.

“I don’t really feel like it’s once more unto the breach,” said the Lions forward, who was part of the side that defeated Leinster in the recent European final.

“I think my season has been a little bit different to a lot of the other guys, especially a lot of the starters in the team.

“I have had probably the most time out injured this year in comparison to the rest of the team.

“I feel good and ready to go, especially because we have done relatively well throughout the season so we have been able to take rests. And winning is also a big help.

“We have got a lot of confidence in what we are about and what we can do. We have a lot of players who have played in a lot of big games.

“This is not going to be a new experience for us and we are extremely confident of what we can put out there on Saturday.”

PA