ENGLAND’S Six Nations 2026 bid kicks off against Wales at Twickenham on February 7.
Here we get to know captain Maro Itoje’s wife Mimi – just one of the glam WAGs attached to the squad.
Maro Itoje missed the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh after suffering a personal tragedy just days before England’s campaign is due to start.
He arrived late to the England team’s training camp in Girona, Spain, as he was attending his mum’s funeral in Nigeria.
Florence – a regular at his games – passed away in January 2026, and the lock missed Saracens’ Prem clash with Newcastle on the 24th of the same month to be in Africa.
On January 26, England boss Steve Borthwick said: “When I have talked to him, I sense emotionally he has found it very tough.
“In Nigeria this week, it is an important step for him and everyone close to him.
“He’s developed to be a really powerful captain. We look forward to having him back with us.”
The Six Nations 2026 starts on Thursday, February 5, with France vs Ireland in Paris.
Who is Maro Itoje’s wife Mimi?
Mimi Itoje is a model and artist who is married to England rugby captain Maro.
In addition to rugby, Maro sometimes also works as a model.
He’s appeared on the cover of Tatler alongside Lady Amelia Windsor.
It’s understood the couple met during a shoot.
She has been represented by London-based agencies including W Management.
On top of her modelling career, Mimi is an artist – she creates acrylic on canvas paintings incorporating cultural themes.
Maro proposed to his now-wife during a holiday to Nigeria and Ghana in August 2024.
Scripture says It is not good for man to be alone… I am no longer alone. I HAVE A WIFE. To God be the Glory!!!!
social media
Mimi shared the happy news on Instagram alongside snaps of her dazzling ring, which she captioned: “Mrs I to be.”
Maro subsequently described the moment to the Daily Mail, saying: “We went to this beautiful aqua-safari in Ada, which is on the coast, about two hours from Accra.
“It was a beautiful resort, and I popped the question there.”
The couple married less than a month before the British and Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia kicked off on May 25, 2025.
Maro celebrated the occasion by writing on social media: “Scripture says It is not good for man to be alone… I am no longer alone.
“I HAVE A WIFE. To God be the Glory!!!!”
Talented rugby family
Talent runs in Maro’s family – his cousin Beno Obano, who plays for Bath rugby, was born just three days apart from him.
The cousins often show public support for each other, with Beno appearing on Maro’s podcast titled Pearl Conversations.
On the show, Maro interviews leaders and groundbreakers from various fields including music, sports, politics and art.
Maro reflected on their upbringing on Pearl Conversations, saying: “For you and I, rugby has never really been [there] when we were growing up – as you said, from when we were born to when we went to secondary school.
“Before then, rugby was never really a thing for us. Coming from a Nigerian household where, if it’s any sport at all, it’s football. If it’s not football, then it’s books.”
Maro’s Rugby career
Born in Camden, London, Maro didn’t pick up rugby until he was 11, discovering the sport at secondary school.
Before committing to rugby, he also competed at shot put and basketball.
He joined Saracens at the tender age of 17 in 2012.
In 2016, Maro went on to earn his first senior England cap against Italy when he was just 21.
Maro was the youngest squad member in the Lions’ 2017 tour of New Zealand at just 22.
The Saracens lock was named England captain in January 2025 ahead of the Six Nations.
