Maro Itoje has been lucky enough to experience a Rugby World Cup, several tournaments and nearly a century of games for . But there is one memory he might like to wipe from the record after accidentally causing a career-ending injury to one of his former team-mates. Back in 2018, Wasps flanker Sam Jones dropped a bombshell, announcing his early retirement from rugby at just 26, related to a freak accident that had occurred 18 months before.

The injury came only a day after he had featured in what would turn out to be the final game of his career, helping Wasps beat Harlequins. Itoje and Jones had both joined up with the England squad in Brighton for the Autumn Internationals, and the players were put through their paces by former coach Eddie Jones. This included a judo session to test their strength and ability to hold, a relevant test for those involved in scrums. Unfortunately for Jones, he suffered a career-ending injury after being paired with Itoje. After grappling with the British and Irish Lion, Jones fractured his fibula and suffered significant damage to his ankle.

Some 18 months later, Jones was devastated to learn that the damage was irreparable and he would be forced to end his career in his mid-20s.

"The decision was made for me, which was tough to hear," Jones said at the time. "But it's a decision that I understand is in my best interests.

"Unfortunately, the injury was a complicated one and my rehab wasn't progressing the way we wanted, with multiple setbacks along the way. For me, getting selected for England based on my club form was a huge achievement and I'm proud that was my last contribution to the game."

Jones played 118 times for Wasps after coming through the club's academy, making his senior debut in November 2010. But after being called up for the first time by Jones, he never got the chance to make his England bow. Itoje, meanwhile, has made 91 appearances for his country.

Despite suffering a brutal injury in his tussle with Itoje, Jones, now 33, insisted he didn't hold a grudge towards Itoje after revealing they had been in touch.

"I feel guilty that I haven't been able to be more transparent about my injury," Jones told Ruck. "Maro Itoje has texted me several times throughout the process. I don't blame him at all.

For Jones, the high-pressure environment of England camp was all about pushing boundaries. "The intensity of the environment is geared to take you out of your comfort zone at all costs and at that time it was working. I suppose that's what happened - I was out of my comfort zone and that was the aim. These things happen.

Moving on from rugby, Jones has found a new passion in his life after opening up a Sri Lankan-British restaurant in Soho called 'Paradise'. While he is busy preparing food for their diners this Saturday, Itoje will be playing in front of 80,000 fans at Twickenham at the Six Nations