- Marler is on the verge of winning his 94th cap for his country as he sets his sights on the turn of the century
- He will play in the loose head against New Zealand on Saturday in Dunedin
- Borthwick praised the value of Marler and Dan Cole’s experience with the selection
Joe Marler has returned to the England front row, ready to take another step towards a century of caps. Along with fellow veteran Dan Cole, he has been praised for his contribution to the development of ‘Test match animals’.
The 33-year-old Harlequins prop will play at wide receiver against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, more than 12 years after making his international debut. The jovial front-rower and Mail Sport columnist, who previously retired from England before reconsidering, continues to have a major impact on the fortunes of the national team.
Steve Borthwick paid tribute to Marler and Cole, who are in the reserves this weekend as Will Stuart has been selected to start at tighthead. “Joe and Dan are exceptional players and also have an incredible influence on the players around them,” the head coach said.
‘The significance of their leadership in this team is huge. I’ve asked them for very specific roles about their game and how I want them to improve as rugby players and the influence they have on the younger players.
“The experience they have means they see things happening quicker. Maybe Coley isn’t as quick as he was, but he sees things quicker and gets into position quicker. How do you help all the other players learn these things that you’ve learned by playing 113 Tests? Joe Marler is the same – by teaching them to be Test match animals.”
Joe Marler (pictured) is credited with helping develop ‘Test match animals’ by Steve Borthwick
Marler is preparing to return to England’s front line in their upcoming match against New Zealand
Borthwick (left) said ‘the significance of their (Marler and Dan Cole) leadership in this squad is enormous’
While Marler will earn cap No. 94, club-mate Fin Baxter will emerge as the next generation of England prop talent, with the Quins rookie set to make his Test debut at the age of 22. He has been named on the bench, ahead of Sale’s Bevan Rodd – who started against Japan in Tokyo – and Borthwick is confident of the newcomer’s standard.
“Fin has shown he can scrum against some of the biggest groups in European rugby – and this New Zealand team is a very big and very well-drilled team,” he said. With Northampton winger Ollie Sleightholme also making his debut, the head coach added: “I’m looking forward to seeing how these young players do. I think they’re going to be a key part of the England team for years to come.”
Outside of the front row, the England squad in Tokyo remains unchanged, with Alex Coles added to the bench in place of the suspended Charlie Ewels.