Tired Mako glad to have Marler back
ENGLAND prop Joe Marler paid the Georgians the ultimate compliment, branding the forwards ‘tough blokes’ after their joint training session this week in London.
“We had a good hit out against them; it was a good session, tough. They are tough blokes,” the 27-yearold loosehead said.
“Some good questions were asked, so we will look at the tape and go back and work on things.
“Quite a few of the Georgian props ply their trade in France – and they are naturally strong.
“I know one of their strength and conditioning guys who used to be an intern at Quins, so I was chatting to him and I asked if they were just gym strong, or whether they had that old man farm strength, and he said both. It definitely felt like that out there with them.”
Marler, who is returning from a six-week ban, has been told his discipline needs to improve if he is to break back into Eddie Jones’ team.
“He was very stern with his warning and made it very clear to me where I stand, and what I need to do to keep my place in the side,” said Marler.
Mako Vunipola will welcome Marler’s return after emptying the tanks in the opening two rounds of England’s title defence.
Jones praised Vunipola’s ‘remarkable’ work-rate in Saturday’s 12-6 victory over Wales, the head coach adding that he was ‘exhausted’ when he was replaced in the 77th minute.
The Saracens prop played a similar amount of time against Italy six days earlier.
Marler is available for the clash with Scotland and should replace Alec Hepburn on the bench.
“Alec’s done very well under the circumstances, but when you have a world class prop like Joe around it obviously makes a difference,” Vunipola said.
“It’s good to have him back. Eddie wasn’t wrong with what he said about me being exhausted, I was shattered at the end against Wales.”