- Marler will play his 94th game for the national team with a goal of 100 points.
- He is set to feature in the loosehead match against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.
- Borthwick praised the experience Marler and Dan Cole bring to the team.
Joe Marler is ready to take another step towards his 100th cap as he returns to the England starting lineup, with both he and veteran Dan Cole being praised for their role in nurturing the ‘new generation of Test players’.
The 33-year-old Harlequins prop is set to feature for New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, more than 12 years after his international debut. Having previously reconsidered his retirement from England, the cheerful front-rower is Mail Sports Columnists have had a profound impact on the fate of the national team.
Steve Borthwick paid tribute to Marler and Cole, who will be included in the reserves this weekend. Will Stuart has been named as the starter at tighthead. ‘Joe and Dan are outstanding players and have a huge impact on the players around them,’ the manager said.
‘The importance of their leadership in this squad is enormous. I asked them about their very specific role in the game and how they want to get better as rugby players and the influence they have on younger players.
‘The experience they have means they see things happen quicker. Kohli may not be as quick as he used to be, but he sees things quicker and gets into position sooner. How do you teach all the other players what you have learned in 113 Tests? Joe Marler too. You teach them to be a Test match animal.’
Joe Marler (pictured) is credited with helping develop the ‘test match animal’.
Marler is set to return to the England front row for the first Test against New Zealand.
“The importance of Mahler and Kohl’s leadership is enormous,” said Borthwick (left).
Marler will be earning his 94th cap, but his clubmate Fin Baxter is the next England prop talent, with Quins’ newcomer set to make his Test debut at the age of 22. He was named on the bench ahead of Sale’s Bevan Rodd, who started against Japan in Tokyo, and Borthwick is confident in the youngster’s set-piece credentials.
‘Finn has shown in European rugby that he can scrum against very big packs and this New Zealand team is a very big, very well-drilled pack,’ he said. Northampton wing Ollie Slightholm is also set to make his debut, and the manager added: ‘I’m excited to see what happens with these young players. I think they’ll be an important part of the England team for the next few years.’
Beyond the front row, England’s starting 15 from Tokyo remain unchanged, with Alex Coles added to the bench to replace the suspended Charlie Ewells.
