Joe Marler admits there is no room for excuses as he prepares to start for England in the November Internationals.
The Harlequins prop capped a fine domestic season by winning his first three starts for his country against South Africa in June, but now admits that the next challenge of establishing himself at international level starts this month.
"I haven't got the excuse of being the uncapped guy in the squad and not knowing what to do," Marler told The Rugby Paper.
"November will be tough and another step up with all three Southern Hemisphere sides and Fiji who have some big boys in there as well, so I'll look forward to that.
"No one can use that excuse of not knowing international rugby anymore because the majority have been capped.
"We've had our honeymoon period, we worked really hard in June but we were a relatively new squad. We had done pretty well in the Six Nations, worked hard for each other and the culture changed and we did the same in South Africa.
"They outclassed us. Going over there and winning is a hard thing to do but now they come over here so this is our chance to establish ourselves as a better team.
"It was great in South Africa. I really enjoyed it. It was a great learning experience and a great country.
"I was buzzing to achieve a dream I've had for a while. I'm looking to kick on now, there is plenty of competition and there are plenty of England games between now and the next World Cup and I want to play in as many of those as I can."
"I'm still relatively fresh, I've only got three caps so I can't be piping up left, right and centre. But I'm more comfortable. It's a good environment. Not necessarily a comfortable environment but an open one where everyone can be themselves and enjoy being there.
"I won't be putting my head above the parapet too much. Everyone is an individual and they need to be allowed to express themselves.
"The coaches were pretty disappointed not to get a win over there, particularly the drawn third Test. But there were some massive positives to take from it all.
"Being a relatively new squad, to take those experiences as an individual and a team we have to look forward to November and bringing them back to Twickenham and getting the fans behind us and get some wins."
Comments
JamieTheProp says...
I wasn't sure at first (being an old school scrummaging prop) - but he is winning me over! I still think if everyone was fit Corbs and Cole are our starting props - but Marler is young and gives us great cover and is fantastic around the pitch! These guys could develop into the best front row unit (including Hartley) in the world - and the Ireland game in the 6 Nations last year showed what a weapon the scrum can still be!
Posted 08:47 03rd November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Well I'm sure he'll be fine against Fiji.
Posted 15:34 02nd November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
I have a funny feeling it won't be long before he pops his mohecan above the parapet again.
Posted 14:20 02nd November 2012
APV1 says...
In his words, he really needs to "kick on" and become a world-class prop. he has the potential, let's just hope it's realised.
Posted 10:50 02nd November 2012