Having lost his bushy beard following criticism by Sir Clive Woodward, England prop Joe Marler is ready for Sunday's clash in Dublin.
Woodward's odd comments came after England's win over Scotland last weekend, although a fresher-faced Marler is uncertain whether it will add some extra speed to his game.
"I haven't got a beard any more and have a bit of stubble because it apparently makes you go faster," said Marler.
"So, we will see on Sunday whether I will be skinning Brian O'Driscoll on the outside. It's unlikely.
"Clive [Woodward] is entitled to his opinion. If I am scoring a try from 50 metres out and skinning everyone, maybe he has got a point!"
Former Harlequins team-mate Mike Ross will be up against Marler on Sunday, with the young England prop ready for the challenge.
"I know he's turned into a pretty reliable and tough scrummager for Ireland through playing week-in, week-out for Leinster," added Marler.
"It will be a really big test. There are a lot of tight-heads out there who are pretty wide. He's no different.
"He's a quiet guy and I was in the academy. That's how the system works. You have to earn your stripes first."
England opened their campaign with a strong performance against Scotland and travel to Dublin with plenty of confidence, but not arrogance as some quarters have suggested in the past.
"Ireland pose different challenges to Scotland," stated Marler.
"We did pretty well for 50 minutes against Scotland but we know there were times when we could have been more clinical.
"There are other areas to improve on and we will try to do that against Ireland.
"It's a new era in the England camp and we are looking ahead. We are looking ahead to an exciting challenge against a tough Ireland team.
"I have no interest in the history of previous games like that. I was not involved.
"The experiences we went through in South Africa are something we have learned from as a group. They are our 'go to' memories for us to kick on from."
Comments
Wolf_Squirrel says...
Why stop with facial hair? I strongly recommend rugby players shave their legs (but not each others legs) and when necessary, their pubic hair too - all adds to the 'aerodynamism'
Posted 16:17 09th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
You can take the score board but you will never take our arrogance. Like the beards after a trim each morning it comes back a little bit more.
Posted 13:50 08th February 2013
gnlr says...
heart of oak, I checked out the utube link. Excellent.
Woodward said he wouldnt select anyone with a beard,
Posted 07:27 08th February 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Apparently there's to be a new commentary team for the match. Brian Sewell and Ray Winstone have replaced Brian Moore who is considered too northern for the BBC.
Also, I think we could do with the lady in this link -->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOdz7Ig_dCg
who I think must be one of the best and most professional reporters I've ever heard. How she keeps a straight face I'll never know.
Posted 22:22 07th February 2013
APV1 says...
@ DrDeath - Touché!
(And descibing him as my "little back friend" does make it sound a little sordid...)
You're such a romantic - "Darling, let me whisk you away to a delightful Roman town, full of Spas and history, pampering available on every corner and some wonderful restaurants. You won't see any of that of course, because we're off the to the Rec to watch the rugby instead!"
With regards to Irish, I think they're still very upset with us for nicking their coach, so I imagine they'll have a point to prove. Neither side are too affected by the internationals - we're only missing a couple - so it should be a cracking match.
ALLEZ!
Posted 18:06 07th February 2013
papachinzo says...
Of course not, arrogance is something only champions, like the French can have. cockiness is an English trait and that's what they'll be arriving in Dublin with.
Posted 17:43 07th February 2013
DrDeath says...
Excellent player, good in the loose & I believe improving all the time! Hopefully can continue to improve after (& not before) Sunday-gives England very mobile front row.
@APV1
Very impressive grammar from a forward! Is your little back friend typing again today-lol
BTW is the Bath-Irish game likely to be any cop next week??Have persuaded good lady wife to combine Valentine's weekend in Bath with a trip to the Rec!!
Posted 16:26 07th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Well there you go. England now have nothing to fear in Dublin because Joe has shaved off his big bushy wind catcher beard and now can run the 100m in... wow... really? ONE POINT FIVE SECONDS!!!!
Wait a minute that wasn't run 100m, that was shot from a cannon. Sorry Joe. Bloomin' BBC stats...
Posted 15:07 07th February 2013
APV1 says...
"Ireland pose different challenges to Scotland," stated Marler.
It's different FROM not to. Different from. Similar to.
I imagine that cayzam & porridge_time must be having a Grammar melt-down at these basic errors. Chaps - seek him out and teach him!
Posted 14:57 07th February 2013
sanka69 says...
Anyone got a reference for Woodwards comments as didnt hear them after the game? Cheers
Posted 14:43 07th February 2013