Two years ago, it is fair to say that Joe Marler’s World Cup prospects were slim. By the veteran loosehead’s own admission, there was “not a chance” he would be interested in being part of England’s tilt at the title in France. Two months ago, however, the wheels were put in motion towards a third World Cup campaign and if his place in Steve Borthwick’s preliminary training squad comes as a surprise, his purpose is clear – for England to “shock the world”.
Ultimately, Marler would not be a part of Borthwick’s squad if he did not believe England could go one better than in Japan four years ago. More than that, he needed convincing by Borthwick that if he were to commit to another campaign, he would not just be holding tackle bags in the early part of this summer, acting as squad filler until the head coach had access to all his players.
