JOE AT CENTRE OF NEW STORM

GARY FITZGERALD JOE MARLER could be in trouble with officials again after a dangerous late hit put Gavin Henson out of Bristol’s opening match back in the Premiership.

England prop Marler was guilty of a clattering into Wales star Henson during Harlequins’ 21-19 opening fixture win at Twickenham, knocking the centre to the ground well after he had kicked the ball up field.

Hansen was left writhing on the ground holding his left leg in agony and eventually limped out of the action.

Marler, 26, was in trouble last season when he was banned for his “gypsy boy” jibe to Wales’ Samson Lee and then calling former Australia head coach Bob Dwyer a “w*****” on Twitter.

He had sessions with a sports psychologist before withdrawing from England’s June tour to Australia.

He could now face more bother over his late “no-arms” tackle on Henson during Quins win over Bristol who have just returned to the top flight.

England reject Tom Varndell, fly-half Tusi Pisi and wing Ryan Edwards grabbed Bristol’s tries.

But Quins bounced back from 14-3 down to win IN TROUBLE: Marler with tries from Marland Yarde and Joe Marchant.

In the opening game of the London double header, South African Jacques Burger scored a try on his Saracens debut as the champions got off to a flying start.

World Cup-winning flanker Burger, 33, charged over for a try as Worcester Warriors were crushed 35-3, which gained a bonus point for Sarries.

Even without England fly-half hero Owen Farrell they were too strong with Jamie George, Alex Lozowski and Ben Spencer also scoring.

In the Premiership’s other game of the day, George Ford quite literally booted Bath to an 18-14 win over Northampton Saints at Sixfields.

Replacement Nic Groom scored the only two tries of the match for Saints, both improved by another replacement Stephen Myler.

But it was the reliable kicking of England fly-half Ford which won the match as he successfully scored four penalties and two drop-goals.