Joe Marler has taken a significant step towards England’s final World Cup squad after his loosehead prop rival, Bevan Rodd, was one of two players cut by Steve Borthwick. Sam Underhill has also been omitted from the latest 39-man England squad with Borthwick’s plans for the tournament in France taking shape.
Marler revealed last week how a face-to-face meeting with Borthwick this year convinced him to pursue another campaign and, with Rodd now out of the picture, the 33‑year‑old is on course for his third successive World Cup.
