‘Outstanding’ Joe Marler in contention for the World Cup

England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed that prop Joe Marler wants to be part of their plans for the 2023 World Cup in France.

Jones made a number of interesting decisions ahead of a three-day training camp starting today (Sunday), leaving out the experienced George Ford and Vunipola brothers, Billy and Mako.

Those three could come back into contention ahead of the World Cup but that depends on them improving their form over the next few months.

Marler has been included, however, despite being 31 years old and withdrawing from the Six Nations in January for family reasons, his destructive role in Quins’ Premiership title triumph evidence of a player operating at the peak of his powers.

Refreshing the squad

“Everything’s going to be about getting ourselves right for the World Cup. If we kept the same team, the same team would be too old by the next World Cup. We know that so we’ve needed to refresh the team,” Jones said.

“I had a chat to Joe, we went for coffee down at Horsham, had bit of chat and he wants to be part of it.

“His form at the end of the season was outstanding. His effort in the Premiership final and the semi-final was superb.

“He’s in good form and he wants to be part of it and wants to give it a crack. We will see how we go with it.

“But he’s going to have to compete hard because there are some good players here. Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd and Beno Obano all did brilliantly in the summer.”

In preparation for Tests against Tonga, Australia and South Africa this autumn, Marler will work with Richard Cockerill for the first time.

Cockerill, the fiery former England and Leicester hooker who once famously stared down Norm Hewitt during the All Blacks’ Haka, has been recruited by Jones to help mould the forwards after he was released by Edinburgh.

“Richard has got a fine record,” said Jones. “He has won trophies at Leicester. At Leicester he’s done everything from driving the bus to being director of rugby. He’s got a good spectrum of experience and is a proud Englishman.

“When we introduced him at the coaches’ meeting one of the others got up a clip of him and the Haka… when he went up to big Norman Hewitt and fronted him.

“He tells the story about when Martin Johnson came up to him afterwards. I can’t repeat what he said, but it was quite funny.”

Manu Tuilagi hopes hard work pays off this season

Sale Sharks and England centre Manu Tuilagi is determined to put his injury problems in the past as he looks to flourish in the Premiership this season.

Tuilagi, 30, has entered his second full season with the Sharks, and third term in all, but injuries and the Covid pandemic have hindered his progress.

“I just want to be able to play and I’m happy we got a full pre-season. It’s been tough but a lot of hard work has been put in and it’s nice to be able to go for it together, as a team, knowing we have put the work in,” he said.

“Me personally with the injuries that I’ve had, I just take it day by day and be thankful I am able to do what I can. It’s a bonus for me to do what I love and not many people get to do that. I am really enjoying playing rugby.”