Sarries scandal will not split England says Marler

JOE MARLER has dismissed Eddie Jones’ concerns the Saracens salary-cap scandal could split the England squad ahead of the Six Nations.

The England forward does not expect team-mates to fall out over it – nor for Sarries stars to prioritise the pressing needs of their club over those of the country. Marler’s Harlequins clubmates have been critical of

Saracens, who have been fined £5.36million and hit with a 35-point deduction.

But the prop disagreed with the Red Rose coach that the scandal would have a “significant impact” when England reassemble.

“There might be a little bit more banter,” said Marler. “I’ve teased the Saracens boys about it for the last few years! Just as they’ve teased me about my s**t hair, how bad we’ve been here in the past, my breath, my wonky nose.

“But you come in with the national side, put your club hat to one side and you all buy into what we’re about playing for England.”

Saracens’ week went from bad to worse yesterday when they were fined an undisclosed amount for failing to attend the Champions

Second favourites France, runners-up last year, avoided a shock defeat in their opening group match to Japan thanks to the doubles.

With French fans boycotting the event because of the new format, Japan’s world No73 Yoshihito Nishioka beat world No10 Gael Monfils to take the tie into a decider. Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut battled back to beat Ben McLachlan and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 40 minutes.

Mahut said: “I have to say it is a strange feeling. When you play Davis Cup, usually the stadium is full.”

Cup launch a fortnight ago while Liam Williams has been urged to quit Sarries and return to Wales.

He is out of contract at the end of the season with Scarlets and Ospreys both fighting for his signature.

New Wales coach Wayne Pivac said: “Liam will make his decision very shortly no doubt and from a selfish point of view I’d love to see him back here inWales.”