Neymar has rejoined Santos, the Brazilian club where both he and Pelé made their names.

Santos posted a video captioned "ThePrinceIsBack" on X in which Neymar said: "King Pelé, your wish is my command, the throne and the crown they are still yours, because you are eternal.

"But the No. 10, it will be an honour to wear the sacred jersey that represents so much for Santos and the world. I promise to do everything I can to keep honouring your legacy, King."

Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal announced on Monday that they had reached an agreement with Neymar to terminate his contract after the Brazil star scored one goal in six appearances during an injury-hit 18 months in the Gulf nation.

The former Barcelona star tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty shortly after signing for Al Hilal. He returned to the pitch in October, but a hamstring injury prevented him from making a telling contribution to the club.

Neymar began his professional career with Santos in 2009 and developed into one of the brightest young talents in world football as he inspired them to a Copa Libertadores triumph in 2011.

He has earned 128 caps for Brazil, scoring a Selecao-record 79 goals -- two more than Pelé. Neymar was part of the Brazil side that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, which was held in Rio de Janeiro.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Buccaneers stayed in-house to fill the void left by Liam Coen at offensive coordinator, hiring passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard for the role Friday.

Grizzard has spent only one season with the team, but he was responsible for a third-down offense that converted at a 50.9% rate, the highest in the NFL and a franchise record, and its 45.9% third-down passing percentage also a league high. In addition, the Bucs' 64.4% third-down rushing percentage was third highest in franchise history, as was their 67.7% third-and-short conversion rate. Their 33% third-and-long conversion rate ranked third in the league.

"Josh is bright and innovative and was instrumental in our game planning and play design over the last year," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. "After interviewing several outstanding candidates throughout this process, it ultimately became clear that our best option was here in our building. We had a lot of success offensively last season and during our conversations, Grizz provided some great ideas on how we can build on that. His familiarity with our offense, our players and the staff will ensure the continuity that is crucial for sustained success."

The elevation of Grizzard, who is well-liked among players, allows the Bucs to maintain as much continuity as possible in their passing game, particularly with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw a career-best 41 touchdowns in 2024.

He will be the eighth offensive coordinator for Mayfield in his eight seasons in the league.

Prior to joining Tampa Bay, Grizzard spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins wearing a number of different coaching hats: offensive quality control (2017-18), quality control (2019), wide receivers coach (2020-21) and offensive quality control (2022-23).

He got his start as a student assistant at Yale in 2012 and then was a graduate assistant/quality control coach at Duke from 2013-16.

The Bucs interviewed multiple candidates for the job after Coen left to become coach of the Jaguars: Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady; Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski; Rams offensive assistant/pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase, tight ends coach/pass game coordinator Nick Caley and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone; and Grizzard, the only internal candidate interviewed.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- If he's back with the New York Jets in 2025, Aaron Rodgers' new offensive coordinator will be former Detroit Lions assistant Tanner Engstrand.

Engstrand, 42, agreed to terms with the Jets on Friday, a source confirmed to ESPN. He is familiar with newly hired coach Aaron Glenn, as they spent the past four seasons together on Dan Campbell's staff. Engstrand was the passing game coordinator for an offense that scored a league-high 564 points in 2024.

Fox Sports and Houston's KPRC first reported the agreement.

Once again, the Jets will go into the season with a first-time head coach and a first-time playcaller on offense. They did the same thing in 2021 with Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur, who was pushed out after two seasons.

Engstrand walks into a historically unstable job that, for now, has a historically great quarterback.

He will be the Jets' 11th playcaller in the past 15 years, probably one of the reasons why they have the 32nd-ranked scoring offense over that span.

Rodgers, 41, is undecided on whether to play a 21st season. Likewise, the Jets haven't said if they want to move forward with the future Hall of Famer, whose 2024 performance was uneven. Glenn, in his introductory news conference Monday, said Rodgers will be evaluated just like every player on the roster.

The four-time MVP has had only four playcallers in his career: Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur with the Green Bay Packers and Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing with the Jets. Downing took over last season when Hackett was demoted in Week 6.

The defensive-minded Glenn will lean heavily on Engstrand as they chart a course for the offense, which finished 24th in scoring this season.

Also on Friday, the Jets hired Chris Harris as pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Harris spent the past two seasons in a similar role with the Tennessee Titans and had interviewed for the Jets defensive coordinator position.

And the Jets announced the hiring of Chris Banjo as their special teams coordinator. Banjo, 34, who replaces Brant Boyer, spent the past two seasons as a special teams assistant for the Denver Broncos following a 10-year playing career.

Engstrand was considered a possible replacement for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to become the Chicago Bears' head coach, but he was passed over when Campbell opted to go outside the organization to hire John Morton from the Broncos.

Engstrand is a Jim Harbaugh disciple, having worked under Harbaugh at the University of San Diego and Michigan. Engstrand has called plays at the college level (San Diego) and in the XFL (D.C. Defenders) but has no NFL playcalling experience. He has a distant connection to new Jets general manager Darren Mougey, who were both quarterbacks at San Diego State in 2004.

The San Diego native spent his next 13 years as an assistant at USD before following Harbaugh to Michigan. In 2020, he landed with the Lions as an offensive assistant under coach Matt Patricia, who was fired that year. Engstrand was retained by Campbell in 2021, starting as the tight ends coach and eventually being promoted to passing game coordinator.

Engstrand inherits an offense with two talented wide receivers in Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams, though there is a chance Adams will be released in a salary-cap-related move. He also gets a versatile running back in Breece Hall and four returning starters on the offensive line.

The big question is the uncertainty at quarterback, one of the reasons why their top coordinator target -- Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nick Cailey -- reportedly declined an interview.

If Rodgers doesn't return, the Jets probably will add a quarterback. The top quarterbacks under contract are backup Tyrod Taylor, 35, and 2024 fifth-round pick Jordan Travis, who missed his rookie year due to a college injury.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, one of several prominent All-Star snubs, said he believes it's time for the NBA to expand rosters for the league's midseason showcase.

Teams have been allowed to have 15 active players since the 2020-21 season, but the All-Star rosters remain limited to 12 players from each conference.

Booker, a four-time All-Star who is averaging 25.5 points and 6.7 assists per game, would be on board with expanding All-Star rosters to 15 to match the limit for the league's teams.

"I think there's enough talented guys out here that are deserving," Booker said after Friday's shootaround at the Chase Center. "I mean, you look at Kyrie [Irving], Norman Powell, those guys are having unbelievable, efficient years and winning games. And on the East, I'm sure there's guys too like Trae [Young] and LaMelo [Ball] that are just putting up unheard-of numbers. So the more talent in there, the better I think."

Seven of the league's top 20 scorers were not selected for the All-Star Game, a list that includes Charlotte's Ball, Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey, Phoenix's Booker, Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox, Dallas' Irving, the Clippers' Powell and Chicago's Zach LaVine.

NBA rebounding leader Domantas Sabonis was not selected despite averaging 20.9 points and 6.6 assists in addition to his league-high 14.5 rebounds per game for the Kings. Neither was Atlanta's Trae Young, who leads the league with 11.4 assists per game and averages 22.5 points.

Ball, who ranks fourth in scoring (28.2 points per game) and ninth in assists (7.3) for the 12-32 Hornets, didn't make the cut despite getting the most fan votes among Eastern Conference backcourt players. He became the first player to lead his position group in fan voting to not be named an All-Star since voting changed in 2016-17 to also factor in media and player voting to determine starters.

All-Star reserves are selected via anonymous voting by coaches.

"Obviously it's something that I wanted to be a part of, but definitely not going to complain about taking a week to regroup with the family," Booker said. "So it's always going to be the conversation every year. Who got snubbed? Who didn't? And there's a lot of people that are deserving."

HIS INSTAGRAM HANDLE, @easymoneysniper, sums up the essence of Kevin Durant's scoring ability.

His teammates, even the fellow future Hall of Famers, have always been in awe of how uniquely smooth, simple and pure Durant makes getting buckets look. That has been the case from the time he broke into the league as a rail-thin teenager to now, when Durant continues to rank among the league's most prolific, efficient scorers in the 18th season of his career.

"He's that guy that you see almost like a monument in a science museum of just like, what does a great scorer look like?" former Brooklyn Nets and Team USA teammate Kyrie Irving told ESPN. "Seven feet, able to handle the ball, able to shoot over anybody, but also a fierce competitor."

Durant had established himself as a historically elite scorer before he even hit his prime, winning four NBA scoring titles by the age of 25. Only Michael Jordan (10) and Wilt Chamberlain (7) have claimed more scoring crowns. Durant has racked up points with remarkable precision, joining Larry Bird and Steve Nash as the only players in NBA history with multiple 50/40/90 shooting-split seasons. And he hasn't declined at age 36, averaging 27.1 points this season, which matches his career average that ranks sixth all time. It's the 16th season that Durant has averaged at least 25 points, which is more than everyone in league history except for LeBron James (20).

Durant is approaching the 30,000-point milestone entering Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET on ESPN), just 94 points shy of becoming only the eighth member of that exclusive NBA club.

Ahead of Durant's latest scoring milestone, several of his teammates over the years discussed the elements that make the 15-time All-Star one of the most unique, complete scorers ever to pick up a basketball.

Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, 2007 to 2016: 17,566 points in 641 games (27.4 PPG)

Durant won Rookie of the Year during the SuperSonics' final season in Seattle and emerged as the peach-fuzzed face of the franchise for the NBA's most exciting young team soon after the move to Oklahoma City.

The Thunder drafted Russell Westbrook and James Harden early in the next two lotteries after selecting Durant with the No. 2 pick, giving Oklahoma City a nucleus of three future MVPs. Durant shined the brightest of the young stars, winning his first scoring title in his third season, when he averaged 30.1 points.

Durant claimed four scoring crowns in a five-year span -- and joined the prestigious 50/40/90 club in the one season during that stretch that he didn't lead the league in scoring. He won the 2013-14 MVP as a 25-year-old who averaged a career-best 32.0 points.

The Thunder seemed destined for multiple championships when Durant, at age 23, led Oklahoma City to the 2012 NBA Finals. Alas, the Thunder never made it back to that stage, as Sixth Man of the Year Harden was traded before the next season, and a combination of injuries and the Golden State dynasty kept getting in Oklahoma City's way before Durant opted to leave in free agency in the summer of 2016.

Nick Collison (SuperSonics/Thunder, 2007 to 2016): "There were other guys that were changing the game, but it was more like bigs who could shoot and maybe put it on the floor a little bit in straight lines. He could really play on the perimeter and he's 7 feet tall. That was what hit me right away. ... He's doing a move like a 6-foot-5 guy, but all of a sudden he's at the rim and he's barely jumping. He's reaching out and dunking the ball. I just hadn't seen it before. ... To do it at 7 feet, no one had done it like that and very few guys have done it since."

Jeff Green (SuperSonics/Thunder, 2007 to 2011; Nets, 2020-21): "It's rare that you have seen a guy who is a legit 7-foot who can handle how he handles but also stop. He stops under control to get to a shot. You can't block it. ... I've never seen -- in recent history, today's game -- a guy that tall with the handle that he has [and] that's super smooth that can do what he does."

James Harden (Thunder 2009 to 2012; Team USA, 2012; Nets, 2020 to 2022): "His change of pace, change of direction ... he'll get you leaning one way and once he crosses back over, he's so tall that if you're not on his hip, he's shooting right over you or he's getting to the basket. That right there automatically is just a different type of a handle for a 7-footer. You really don't see that. I don't see [another] guy at 7 feet that can shoot it fluidly like him and handle the rock and do the things he do."

Kendrick Perkins (Thunder, 2011 to 2015): "KD's post-up game -- midpost [and] at the elbow -- I think that's what he's mastered. He mastered that from having a lot of battles in the Western Conference against Dirk Nowitzki. Then you see him add so much to his game. Whether that's the turnaround over both shoulders, whether that's the one-legged fadeaway. I think adding that to his game helped him elevate in all other areas. Once he mastered that, eight out of 10 times it's going in or he's going to the foul line."

Golden State Warriors, 2016 to 2019: 5,374 points in 208 games (25.8 PPG)

Durant felt the wrath of critics after deciding to leave a contender to join a Golden State core that had won a title and was coming off a record-setting 73-win regular season. But nobody can rip the results of his Bay Area tenure.

Durant's scoring numbers dipped while sharing the ball with the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but he was a dominant force for some all-time great teams. The Warriors went to the Finals in all three of Durant's seasons with the franchise and won titles the first two years. Durant was the Finals MVP on both occasions, averaging 35.2 points in the 2017 five-game series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and 28.8 points in the next season's sweep of the rematch.

But Durant's stint with the Warriors ended with disappointment following a season filled with turmoil fueled by speculation about his looming free agency. He missed a month during the playoffs with a calf strain before returning for Game 5 of the Finals, when the Toronto Raptors had the Warriors on the brink of elimination. Durant ruptured an Achilles tendon during the second quarter, which ended up being his final moments in a Golden State uniform.

Nevertheless, it was a three-year run of historic greatness.

Stephen Curry (Warriors, 2016 to 2019; Team USA, 2024): "Pure talent and work ethic. I mean, it doesn't happen by accident. He's been blessed with a certain skill set with his height. You can't really rush him. He can see over pretty much most defenders. And if there's a taller guy on, he can use his counters and all that to get good looks. But you have to worry about all three levels, and he can put it on the floor, too. So it's kind of pick your poison."

Zaza Pachulia (Warriors, 2016 2018): "He could score anywhere -- inside, outside. If you just look at his inside game, it was as good as anyone else, either post-up or attacking the rim. His outside shooting was as good as Steph -- shooting over the people, shooting on the move."

Klay Thompson (Warriors, 2016 to 2019; Team USA, 2016): "How many 7-footers can shoot the ball from that deep like him? Maybe Dirk, Wemby now. His ball skills and his shooting touch is what I'm so impressed with. I've seen him shoot over everybody. I think I get him from 3, but his midrange is the best I've ever seen."

Draymond Green (Warriors, 2016 to 2019; Team USA, 2016, 2021): "I mean, there's no bad shot for him. He's 7-feet, dribbles the ball like a point guard, shoots the ball like shooting guards, dunks the ball like centers. ... If you're a little behind, he's 7-feet so it don't affect his shot. You have to be right on him in order to get a contest to where it affects him at all. And you can get that same contest and he still will make it."

Curry: "It's a combination of being a three-level scorer and the efficiency that he has had his whole career. I know we're both kind of obsessed with the 50/40/90 pursuit -- and he got it one year [in Golden State] -- but the way he does it is totally different than the way I do it. Just the fact that he's such a graceful, efficient scorer no matter what defense you really throw at him, to do it for that many years is really impressive. So there's a reason people talk about him as the greatest legitimate scorer ever."

Brooklyn Nets, 2019 to 2023: 3,744 points in 129 games (29.0 PPG)

Durant joined forces with his friend Irving in free agency -- and eventually Harden again via a forced trade from the Houston Rockets -- to form the NBA's next superteam in Brooklyn. The possibilities were deemed well worth waiting a full season as Durant sat out the first year of his deal while recovering from an Achilles injury. But the Nets fizzled, as that trio played a total of only 16 games together before breaking up under the weight of drama and dysfunction.

But Brooklyn was so close to breaking through. How close? Maybe only a couple of inches away.

The most memorable singular moment from Durant's Nets tenure -- and arguably his career -- was his toes-on-the-3-point-line turnaround jumper in the final seconds of regulation in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals. Instead of hitting a game winner to beat the Milwaukee Bucks, Durant sent the game into overtime. The Bucks, the eventual champions, prevailed. The Nets were eliminated despite Durant's 48-point, 53-minute performance alongside a hobbled Harden (hamstring) and without Irving (ankle).

The Nets never won another playoff game. The rest of Durant's time in Brooklyn was marred by controversy involving his co-stars, resulting in first Harden and then Irving getting their trade requests granted. Durant was the last of the trio out the door, as the Nets dealt him when it became apparent that a rebuild was necessary.

Harden: "He don't care where you at. You could be a tall defender, shorter defender. Once he raises up, all he sees is that rim. It's unbelievable."

Royce O'Neale (Nets, 2022-23; Suns, 2024 to present): "He's stronger than you think and he looks. He uses his body and his athleticism to shoot over you, to get to the elbows. His hesi pull, you might know it's coming, but he's still getting it off. It's just all the hard work and routine for him and the craft that he puts in. Once he gets there, you better hope he misses, but it's tough. You can't block it. It's a high-arching shot. I always say he's the toughest player I've had to guard."

Jeff Green: "Obviously he's a volume shooter, but the efficiency of how he scores, it's not like he's going 6-for-25. He's going a cool 13-for-19, 14-for-20. It's not like people are making him miss. If he misses, it's because he missed. And he makes a lot of tough shots."

Kyrie Irving (Team USA 2016; Nets, 2019 to 2023): "He's a scientist out there. He's always hovering around 50/40/90. Man, he's like an efficient machine when it comes to breaking down how he goes about scoring and doing it for so long."

Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets, 2019 to 2021): "He's just really good at, no matter where he is at on the floor, just kind of getting square up to the basket and then [shooting with a] high release point. And obviously you're not going to block it. The balance, the rhythm and all that stuff, it's just something you've never seen from a 7-footer before. KD's just pure skill. He's just smooth. We ain't never seen nothing like it. We probably never will, to be honest."

Phoenix Suns, 2023 to present: 3,222 points in 119 games (27.1 PPG)

Mat Ishbia made a massive splash in his first night as Suns owner, pulling off a blockbuster deal to pair Durant with perennial All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker. The cost was steep: a package that featured forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, who were key members of the Suns' 2021 Finals squad, along with four unprotected first-round picks and a swap.

Durant's scoring brilliance has continued in the desert -- "His longevity, it's undeniable," former Suns teammate Chris Paul said -- but Phoenix's ultra-aggressive front office has failed to construct a contender-caliber supporting cast around its star duo.

The Suns, who have been trying hard to turn their limited assets into another trade upgrade, are mired in play-in territory despite Durant not having slowed down as he nears another milestone.

Bradley Beal (Suns, 2023 to present): "People don't really understand how good his feet are. Granted for his size, too, just his ability to be able to get by his defender with the first quick step, whether that's with a jab or just a simple just catch and rip. ... I think that's probably what separates him from a lot of guys, is just that continuity of being able to constantly get to your spot without any resistance almost. ... As a defender, you have to press up on him because [if] you sit off of him, he can just rise up over you. But the minute you press up on him, he's really talented enough to get low, sweep through, jab you one way and you're gone."

O'Neale: "He knows exactly where he wants to get and what type of shots he wants to shoot. I think the fact that he's unpredictable in a lot of it matters. You never know if he's going to hit you with a pull-up, drive, fadeaway. He's just got so many things that he can counteract with. That makes him so tough to guard -- just his counterattacks versus you, the way he sees the game and the way he shoots the ball."

Tyus Jones (Suns, 2024 to present): "Practice, games -- he shoots at a high clip all the time. It's very impressive and it's motivating to be around that, to be around the greatness of that and to see his work ethic. He -- knock on wood -- rarely has an off night. He's able to get to his spots, he scores at every level, different ways, going right, going left. So I would say the efficiency is just the most impressive. He's not shooting a ton of shots to score a bunch of points."

Mason Plumlee (Suns, 2024 to present): "It feels like he's never forced a shot. The thing that kind of also made me think of that was I was watching him do a podcast with JJ [Redick], and JJ is like, 'Why don't one game you just shoot it every time? You can raise up over and just [shoot].' He's a pure basketball player, so he's not going to take bad shots [although] he has every right to, and nobody would say anything to him if he wants to. So even his end-of-clock, tough shots against two guys, he makes 'em look fundamental. I mean, it's amazing. Some guys that hit two, three shots in a row, they're shooting the next one. The heat check will be just a disgusting shot. And Kev just takes good shots."

Jones: "You put smaller guys on him, he shoots over the top of them. Put bigger guys on him, he's going to make them dance. So it's just a mismatch and he scores very, very effortlessly."

Beal: "You try not to be a fanboy, but it's amazing to see for sure."

Devin Booker (Suns, 2022 to present; Team USA, 2021, 2024): "We've never seen it before. Everyone tries to emulate it, and we still haven't seen it. So he's just a one-of-a-kind type player and the greatest scorer to ever live."

ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Michael C. Wright and ESPN Research's Matt Williams contributed to this report.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Mickey Moniak defeated the Los Angeles Angels in salary arbitration on Friday when the outfielder was awarded a raise to $2 million instead of the team's offer of $1.5 million.

Melinda Gordon, Samantha Tower and John Woods made the decision one day after listening to arguments.

Moniak hit .219 with 14 homers and a career-high 49 RBIs last year. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time after earning $770,000.

Right-hander Johan Oviedo lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the first salary arbitration decision of the year and will earn $850,000 instead of his request for $1.15 million.

A decision is pending for Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Santana, who asked for $2.1 million and was offered $1.4 million.

Eight other players are scheduled for hearings, which run through Feb. 14. Angels first baseman/second baseman Luis Rengifo has asked for $5.95 million and been offered $5.8 million.

In November, England suffered narrow defeats by Australia and New Zealand, having led those matches heading into the closing stages.

They last won the Six Nations in 2020 and head to Dublin to face champions Ireland on Saturday before hosting France at home.

Former England wing Ugo Monye told BBC Sport: "England are at a stage now that they need to deliver a title. With the player pool, domestic game and finances, they have to do it.

"It is time that the team get a lot closer to their potential."

The loss of captain Sione Tuipulotu for the championship because of injury was a major blow for Scotland, who host Italy on Saturday.

Former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie told BBC Sport: "This is the best Scottish side I've seen. It is the best-coached side and in terms of talent the best since they won the last Five Nations in 1999. However, other sides have a greater depth of talent.

"Tuipulotu has been our brightest spark over the last three years with the way he challenges the gainline physically and brings Huw Jones on to the ball with short passes.

"It will be a huge opportunity for Stafford McDowall, who operated at a high level in the autumn. He knows his role as it is similar to how Glasgow play.

"Success for Scotland would be a top-three finish."

After winning the Grand Slam in 2012 and another title the following year, Wales fell just two points short of making three Six Nations titles in a row in 2014.

Wales and Ireland both won their opening matches, while Gael Fickou's last-gasp try saw France defeat England in a thriller.

Ireland blew holders Wales away in Dublin in round two, while England and France collected big wins.

The championship took a big twist in the third round as Wales bounced back to defeat France, while England edged past Ireland at Twickenham.

It looked like it was anyone's title, but Wales' hopes were ended by England, as Ireland and France both won again.

Going into the final day, Ireland, France and England could all still claim the title.

England hammered Italy to pile the pressure on Ireland in Paris. Johnny Sexton's 17 points helped Ireland over the line by two points, despite a late French fightback.

It was one of the most competitive years in Six Nations history, and it was Ireland who prevailed.

New England captain Maro Itoje says losing is not what he is about as his side prepare to open their Six Nations campaign against Ireland on Saturday.

Itoje replaced Jamie George as skipper earlier this month after England only won five of their 12 Tests in 2024.

Steve Borthwick's side beat Ireland, who are seeking a historic third championship in a row, at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium last year and will be hoping to start positively in Dublin to help their bid for a first Six Nations title since 2020.

"I don't want to lose and losing is not what I am about," Itoje told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

"There is no greater honour than winning with England. You win with your club and that is special, but winning with England is a different kettle of fish.

"I want this team to feel that and achieve that and I think we can."

Itoje led England to the Under-20 world title in 2014 but only stepped up to lead Saracens this season in the wake of previous captain Owen Farrell's departure to France.

The 30-year-old lock made his debut in England's 2016 Grand Slam-winning campaign and enjoyed a successful start to his international career under Eddie Jones, reaching the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

In a 2021 book, Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy, writing that the second row was "very inward-looking" and did not "usually influence people off the field" - a view Itoje later denied.

Courtney Lawes, who captained England during their Australia tour in 2022, said Itoje is not a loud talker, external when it comes to pre-game team talks, but the new England captain is happy to hand over those duties to louder squad members.

"If there are swearing obligations I will hand that over to the 14 members of the team!" Itoje added.

"Everyone has things to work on. I like to think I am a reasonably self-aware person and I think I am humble enough to acknowledge where I need support from others."