Graham Rowntree hails Joe Marler for 'world-class' England performances

AFP/Getty Images
Chris Jones17 February 2017

Graham Rowntree believes Joe Marler is delivering world-class performances for England because he opted out of the summer tour to Australia.

Marler missed England’s historic 3-0 triumph over the Wallabies following a troubled season that saw him banned and fined for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy”.

The Australia tour saw Mako Vunipola cement his position as England’s first-choice loose-head prop but Marler has impressed in the Six Nations wins over France and Wales while the Saracens forward has been out with a knee injury.

But Vunipola, who returns to club action tonight against Gloucester, is certain to be included in the match squad to face Italy on February 26, leaving head coach Eddie Jones with a tough selection call to make.

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Harlequins forwards coach Rowntree, who held the same position with England until 2015, said: “Joe had the summer to work on his body and he is turning into a world-class player.

"He has a lot of elements to his game, which is great for the team.”

Quins, who visit Bath tomorrow, have lost key men like Marler to England and have also been struck down by a bad run of injuries, but Rowntree said: “It is important that we supply players to England.

"I have been on the other side of the fence and I want them to do well.”

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