England captain criticises social media after Edogbo suffers racial abuse following Ireland debut

England captain Maro Itoje has criticised the “corrosive” effects of social media in response to the racial abuse faced by Ireland’s Edwin Edogbo following his international debut.

Edogbo, born and raised in Co Cork to Nigerian parents, was targeted online after his appearance as a replacement in Saturday’s 20-13 Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy.

The Irish Rugby Football Union is investigating the abuse, having been forced to disable comments on a post on its X account in which Edogbo is pictured holding his first cap, accompanied by the caption “Our latest debutant”.

Itoje, who will win his 100th England cap against Ireland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, said: “It’s very sad on two fronts.

Our latest debutant. pic.twitter.com/B7LAOUbFZm

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 14, 2026

“Social media has been a force for good in many ways, but it’s been a force for negativity in a lot of other ways.

“It’s really important for athletes, as well as ordinary people, not to live their life based on what social media says about them. It will just be a horrible way to live your life.

“I’d advise all top level athletes not to spend too much time on social media because it’s really corrosive, both from the negativity that’s on there but also what it does to our brains.

“I think we’re going to see in the coming years a huge amount of damage that has been done to us as humans and as a society as a result of social media in terms of brains and brain development.

“Secondly, the stuff around Edwin is obviously incredibly sad. It’s something that no one should have to go through and it’s a further reminder that there’s still work to do.”

Itoje insists athletes need to have a social media presence for the benefit of their careers