ENGLAND captain Maro Itoje laughed he had “passed on the family baton” after his cousin made his Arsenal debut aged 17.
Andre Harriman-Annous led the Gunners’ front line in Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton.
Harriman-Annous played 77 minutes as Mikel Arteta’s side eased past the Seagulls to reach the quarter-finals.
And lifelong Gooner Itoje, 31, was thrilled to see his teenage relation fulfilling his own sporting dream.
British and Irish Lions skipper Itoje, who will lead England into Autumn Series action against Australia at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow, said: “Unfortunately, I didn’t watch the game but Andre made his first start, they won, and it’s incredibly exciting.
“I’m so proud and very happy for him because I know how he has worked incredibly hard over the last ten years.
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“It really does mean I’m no longer the big deal in the family! I have passed the baton — so I guess we need some help to get some more of the back pages.
“But I want him to fly. He has done amazingly well and long may it continue — not only because he is my cousin but because I support Arsenal.”
Itoje added: “They start so young, these footballers. I remember going to his house and his older cousins were putting him through his paces as a seven-year-old.
“Even then I was thinking, ‘This is quite intense’. Everyone is really happy and really proud.”
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Itoje’s experiences with Saracens, England and the Lions give him a perspective on the pressures of making an impact in elite sport.
However, the Red Rose captain knows the limits of the tips he can pass on.
He said: “It is all about mindset and the mentality. I have not spoken to him about anything regarding football.
“That’s not my bag. I would not even advise him to listen to me in that regard.
“But in terms of being a professional and how one organises their life, the mindset and mentality to training and improving and the dedication and consistency which is required, all of those things are definitely applicable and transferable.
“We have had a few conversations over the years in that vein.”
Itoje’s England aim to hit the Aussies for six at Twickenham — ahead of cricket’s Ashes series this winter. Boss Steve Borthwick and his staff hosted opposite number Brendon McCullum for a pow-wow in Manchester before the Kiwi coach headed off for the New Zealand white-ball tour.
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And defence coach Richard Wigglesworth, who has returned to the England set-up after being part of Andy Farrell’s successful Lions team Down Under this summer, admitted: “I’m not sure how we’re going to go in The Ashes but hopefully we stick one on the board this week.
“It’s a great rivalry, isn’t it? It’s one where both sides really enjoy playing against each other because there’s something there.”
