In a 2021 book, Jones questioned Itoje’s suitability as captain, saying the second row was “very inward-looking” and did not “usually influence people off the field”.
“I felt that was a wrong diagnosis of who I am,” Itoje remarked.
“Most individuals who are familiar with me, or who saw those comments and knew me, would argue that was a wrong assessment of my personality.
“I guess it was unfortunate that your coach would say something like that about you, but in life not everyone is going to see the things that way you see it.”
Jones had claimed that the 29-year-old had attended “acting lessons” to hone his leadership skills. The man refuted this as well.
“I worked with the psychologist at the time in terms of how to communicate more clearly and get a message across in a more effective manner,” he explained.
“I was not waltzing across a stage and practising my Shakespearean prose.”
Following Owen Farrell’s summer transfer to Racing 92 in France, Itoje will take over as Saracens’ captain for the upcoming campaign.
Itoje, 29, who led the England Under-20s to victory in the Junior World Cup in 2014, has never before served as a senior first-choice squad captain on a regular basis.
