Joe Marler ‘unlikely to return’ after leaving England camp ahead of Autumn Nations Series – report
England front-row Joe Marler.
Powerful loosehead prop Joe Marler has left the England squad on the eve of the Autumn Nations Series for ‘personal reasons’, according to reports.
The Harlequins man was named in the wider 36-man squad for the November Tests, but now reports in the British media suggest he is unlikely to return next month, with no current timeframe in place on when he could come back.
Joe Marler pulls out of England squad
The 34-year-old, who has 95 caps to his name after making his Test debut in 2012, has also been very open about his struggles with mental health issues over his career.
Joe Marler slams ‘ridiculous’ All Blacks haka as England star calls for war dance to be ‘binned’
It is understood that he stepped away from the group on Monday before he took to social media to call for the Haka to be ‘binned’. This also came before the England squad was named to face the All Blacks this weekend, and adds more context to the selections of both Ellis Genge and Fin Baxter.
Commenting on his loosehead selections earlier this week, England head coach Steve Borthwick said: “It’s another position where we have a lot of quality there. I’m delighted Ellis is back. He’s a world-class player and has been in excellent condition. He wanted to be in Japan and New Zealand during the summer, it’s been an enforced break and he’s used it really well.
Borthwick added: “Fin Baxter, his emergence through last season and into the Test arena in the summer, and watching what he’s done for his club side this season – I think you would agree he is playing really well. I’m looking forward to seeing both of those guys go this weekend.”
Marler has also seen limited action this season, after sustaining a foot injury in Test one against New Zealand in the summer.
What Joe Marler’s exit could mean for England
Reports from the Telegraph suggest that no replacement will be called into the squad in the immediate future, there will still be a vacancy at loosehead with Marler potentially out of all four of England’s Tests this November.
Bath loosehead Beno Obano was a surprise omission from the initial 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series, but his form should make him the locked-on replacement to come in for Marler.
Another option could be Northampton Saints powerhouse Emmanuel Iyogun, who was drafted into England’s squad during the tour to New Zealand as a direct replacement for the Quins icon, and could do this again next month.
