What I’ve learnt: Maro Itoje

England and Saracens rugby player Maro Itoje, 23, has won two English Premiership titles, two European Rugby Champions Cups and two Six Nations Championships. Educated at Harrow, he has a degree in politics from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. He lives in north London. Next week he travels to Italy with the England squad for their opening match of the Six Nations Championship.

I find it hard not to worry while watching the news. In the past couple of months there have been stories about the slave trade in Libya. It’s appalling that people are still subjected to this kind of suffering. You think: what’s the world coming to?

When you’re a rugby player, people make assumptions about you. You often detect that – this idea that you must be either some kind of meathead or a bit slow. I’d like to think that once people speak to me, those preconceptions are put to rest.

Public school isn’t as stiff as people think. I went to Harrow on a sports scholarship. And while they were strict with their uniform and traditions and everything, you were given lots of opportunities to express yourself, too, to pursue avenues that really interested you. Harrow had more societies and clubs than most universities.

I’m proud I was able to complete a degree while having a rugby career. Looking back, I think that if I hadn’t made the decision to do that, I would have been gutted. I studied politics and graduated this summer with a 2:1. I’m happy that I had the perseverance to see it through. And I’ve found that since I’ve finished, I’ve been missing that mental stimulation. I like to widen my horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the things I’m interested in. I miss the challenge of getting your head around a new topic.

Very few people can beat me at Connect 4. I reckon I could enter a Connect 4 World Championship and finish in the top three. The only time someone might have a chance of defeating me is if I get too cocky or if I’m not concentrating. When I’m focused, I’m nearly unbeatable.

I’m not great at swimming, although I can do it. I do hope to rectify that before I have kids.

Feminism has taught me a lot. I now have a great appreciation of how this world is really created for men. Women play a secondary role, which isn’t fair. I think I have a much better understanding of the barriers to entry faced by women, and the many more obstacles they face compared with men.

My family are all strong-minded individuals. My dad is quite forthright and able to get his message across very quickly. My mum is maybe a little softer. I probably sit somewhere in between.

Playing rugby builds life skills. There are a lot of things you develop in this game that are transferable: team-building; speaking in front of a group; trying to get a succinct message across to a group of people and then getting them to buy into it. And dealing with pressure, because you’re performing in front of thousands of people.

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about girls, I’d tell myself to choose wisely. Choose very wisely.

The fun part of rugby comes after the final whistle. It’s a great game to play and it’s even better when you’re dominating, playing free-flowing rugby with a group of people you enjoy being with. But I like the feeling of reflecting on a game more than the game itself. When I’m playing, all I’m thinking about is how I can help my team win. It’s a lot easier to enjoy once it’s over and you’ve won.

I really don’t have much stress in my life. Luckily my family are all healthy. I don’t have kids to worry about, or a wife or a girlfriend. Life is bliss.

Maro Itoje is a brand ambassador for Vita Coco #RevivalOfTheFittest. The Six Nations Championship starts on February 3