Prop welcomes Steve Borthwick’s willingness to give players chance to be themselves after rigid methods under Eddie Jones
There are few players past or present better placed to pass judgment on whether there is room in English rugby for free spirits, whether individualism can thrive in a sport with such a team ethos, than Joe Marler.
The veteran prop once turned up to an England camp sporting a red mohawk and rat’s tail for good measure – “I looked horrific” – and was asked promptly by Martin Johnson, head coach at the time, whether he would be getting a haircut. He did not, and was released the next day – though Andrew Sheridan’s return to fitness probably had more to do with it.
Written by Gerard Meagher in Le Touquet
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/13/joe-marler-england-rugby-world-cup-eddie-jones-steve-borthwick under the title “Joe Marler enjoys England’s freedom of expression under Steve Borthwick | Gerard Meagher”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
