Itoje and Smith Downplay On-Field Spat as England Prepares for France Clash

Published: March 13, 2026

Disagreement a Sign of Team Harmony

England captain Maro Itoje and fly-half Fin Smith have moved to quell concerns following an on-field exchange during the recent defeat against Italy. Both players insist the disagreement, which centered around a penalty decision, demonstrates a healthy dynamic within the squad rather than any underlying tension.

“There’s no crack, there’s no crack between us,”

Maro Itoje

The incident, captured by the referee’s microphone, saw Itoje instruct Smith to “don’t argue with me, take the three,” as England debated whether to kick for goal or attempt an attacking line-out. The exchange sparked debate, but both players have downplayed its significance.

Joking in Camp

The situation has reportedly become a lighthearted topic within the England camp as they prepare for their final Six Nations match against France. Smith even joked about the incident, suggesting a physical resolution to future disagreements.

“Me and Maro have been joking about it this week and I told him if he shouts at me like that again, I’m going to punch him!”

Fin Smith

Itoje, known for his composed demeanor, laughed off suggestions he had “lost it!” during the exchange, attributing the visibility of the moment to being mic’d up. He emphasized the importance of open communication within the team.

“Fin is my guy. The way I try to do things is to hear what my key decision-makers think of what is going on, and whoever plays 10 will obviously have an important role in that.”

Maro Itoje

Facing a Tough Challenge in Paris

England face a daunting task in Paris, aiming to avoid their worst Six Nations campaign since the tournament expanded in 2000. A loss would mean finishing with only one win in the entire competition. Historically, England has only endured four-game losing streaks in the championship twice before – in 1972 and 1976.

FAQ

• What caused the disagreement between Itoje and Smith? It was over whether to kick for goal or attempt an attacking line-out from a penalty.
• Is there tension within the England squad? Both Itoje and Smith have emphatically denied any rift, describing their exchange as a sign of healthy debate.
• What is at stake for England in their match against France? England is looking to avoid their worst Six Nations campaign in over two decades.

England’s match against France on Saturday will be a test of their resilience and unity. Despite a challenging Six Nations, the players appear determined to move forward, emphasizing the importance of open communication and mutual respect.