Latest update on England prop Joe Marler a cause for concern ahead of Six Nations

Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard was unable to give a firm timeframe on Joe Marler’s return following their victory over Newcastle Falcons on Friday.

The loosehead prop missed their clash at Kingston Park due to an arm injury picked up in their Big Game 15 triumph at Twickenham.

Marler was sent for a scan but Quins are remaining coy on when the player will next be available.

Update on Danny Care and Marler

The Londoners’ boss was giving an update on some of their injured players, including England internationals Danny Care and Marler.

The consensus at the start of the week was that Marler’s injury was not serious and that he was only expected to be absent for the Falcons match but, with him likely to miss their clash against Cardiff at the very least, concern may grow for Red Rose boss Steve Borthwick.

He is already without Bevan Rodd for the Six Nations, while Ellis Genge is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the tournament.

“I’m hoping DC can make Cardiff next week (in the Champions Cup) and Marler’s probably a little bit longer,” Millard said after their 24-3 win over Newcastle.

“Will Porter’s got a sore head but he’s fine. I don’t know if it was the pole or the board (he banged into).

“The sideline’s pretty close to the boards. Adam (Radwan) came up and apologised. He’s such a classy kid. It was nothing malicious.”

On a positive note for Borthwick, Marler’s replacement, Fin Baxter, was outstanding in his absence, dominating at the set-piece.

Baxter played a key role in the victory as Quins moved to the top of the Premiership table ahead of Saturday’s encounters.

“It’s a really important win for us. It was far from perfect but that’s a big win and big points for us,” Millard said.

“We had chances to extend our lead in the first half but we didn’t convert three or four chances. Our scrum was outstanding, it really gave us an early foothold, and our defence was great.

“You’ve just got to keep winning because it’s such a tight competition and everyone else keeps winning. It was massive points for us.”

Winless Newcastle

Harlequins condemned the Falcons to their 11th consecutive Premiership and their defence coach, Scott Baldwin, was frustrated by his team’s profligacy.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “We created so many chances, it was just about that finishing touch. It’s probably the story of our season.

“We’re creating opportunities and just not finishing them.

“I don’t think we’re a million miles away. I think there’s been growth since the first half of the season.

“But we don’t want to be a team that’s plucky losers, we want a win. I firmly believed turning up today we were going to win the game, as did the players and staff. We’ve let it slip, which we can’t keep doing.”

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