Joe Marler has revealed 'This is the tightest England team' he's experienced this week following the damaging 20-17 loss to Scotland.
“With the new generation of players coming through there has had to be a bit of an adaptation from the staff and also from the older boys that the old hierarchical system that may have worked in rugby previously just doesn’t work that much now,” Marler said.
“It is more about open communications, honest communications, appropriate communications with the youngsters and finding different ways to connect with them rather than the old school ‘here’s a stick’ so to speak.”
Below, we look at three players that the prop never warmed too with Marler in most cases proving to be a good judge of character.
In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, "On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I'd take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster... a couple of clubs."
#2. Marland Yarde
The winger dramatically left Harlequins in 2017 to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks in an unusual mid-season move.
Marler said: “I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months,
“I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it
“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him. I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.
“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”
#3.Sir Clive Woodward
Woodward tore apart Eddie Jones' side during a webinar, slamming Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their behaviour in a press conference prior to the loss against South Africa back in November. This wasn't the first time the 2003 World Cup-winning coach called out the prop.
After reading an article on the Rugby Pass website highlighting Woodward's comments, he tweeted him directly, saying: "Change the record Sir Clive - you should be grateful you can 'milk the cow' for another 3 years."
Change the record Sir Clive - you should be grateful you can “milk the cow” for another 3 years 💤 @CliveWoodward
RugbyPass
@RugbyPass
"It was like Laurel and Hardy. I know they [Cole and Marler] are on the bench but this is 48 hours from the World Cup final... it wasn't larking around - it was embarrassing"
- Clive Woodward pulled no punches in a recent webinar 🥊
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