Joe Marler says the chance to “shock the world” this autumn is behind the decision to make himself available for England.
The prop star has had his struggles with mental health, withdrawing from a summer tour in 2016 before retiring from Test rugby two years later. Although he reversed his decision in order to play in the last World Cup, he has not added to his 79 caps for more than a year.
Even when head coach Steve Borthwick contacted him post Six Nations to invite him to throw his hat back in the ring, Marler almost pulled out of their meeting.
