‘He’s like one of those goats that fall down when startled!’
Joe Marler is back in the England camp, and back to his old, wind-up antics.
The loosehead is one of four Harlequins players in the England squad for the November Tests, having opted out of the 2021 Six Nations and the British & Irish Lions’ tour to South Africa.
In fantastic form for Quins, England boss Eddie Jones had no hesitation bringing Marler back into the fold for the latest Test window. The squad have headed to Jersey, this week, for a five-day training camp meaning several top stars may miss out on Premiership action this weekend, unless Jones opts to release a few to get game-time.
Also in camp is Marler’s former Harlequins teammate, Kyle Sinckler. The tighthead, who was part of the Lions tour after being called in for the injured Andrew Porter, was going about his business in the gym, when Marler snuck up behind with an air-horn welcome.
It scared the bejeepers out of poor Sinckler, who immediately hit the deck before unleashing a verbal volley when he realised what was going on.
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Also back, ahead of the November internationals, is House of Rugby, with Alex Goode and Seán O’Brien at the helm and Adam Jones joining the lads to tee up a huge month ahead.
On the first show of the new House of Rugby season [LISTEN from 32:00 below], Goode, O’Brien and Jones teed up some cracking games that will have us all rapt over the coming weeks.
Up first, this weekend, we have Scotland – buoyed with their best ever Lions representation since the game turned professional – host Tonga and New Zealand facing Wales, in Cardiff.
While Wales are without their Premiership contingent, Goode believes Wayne Pivac’s side could ‘showcase a few faults in the New Zealand team’, as South Africa and New Zealand did, at stages, in The Rugby Championship.
O’Brien and Goode are backing the Scots to beat Tonga quite comfortably while O’Brien is expecting a close-run affair between the Welsh and All Blacks. Goode, though, expects the Kiwis to run away in the final 20 minutes after a fiercely contested opening hour.
