Jones defends Marler and Cole

Wales front-rower Adam Jones has jumped to the defence of England's under-fire Test props, Joe Marler and Dan Cole.

Wales front-rower Adam Jones has jumped to the defence of England's under-fire Test props, Joe Marler and Dan Cole.

Both Marler and Cole were heavily penalised in the scrums by Australian referee Steve Walsh during Wales 30-3 victory in the Six Nations decider in Cardiff last weekend.

And despite being criticised in some quarters, the young duo have found an unlikely ally in Wales rival Jones.

“People have come out and said that Marler was shocking, but he's good,” Jones told the ERC website. “I'd never played against him before and he's a better prop than I thought he was.

“He's only 22 and he's excellent – both loose-heads were – and Dan Cole is only 25.

“They are only going to get better, and I'm pretty sure that come the World Cup England are going to be formidable opposition.”