Joe Marler

2 months ago | dailymail.co.uk | Joe Marler

There is nothing like being an England player going to Cardiff to face Wales in a potential title-deciding match. And I should know, because I made an unholy mess of my first attempt. I was peak arrogant Englishman in 2013 — 22 years old, heading west to seal the Grand Slam. All I could think was, 'It's going to be incredible when we lift that trophy on Saturday night'. There was not a sniff of doubt in my mind. The first inkling of a flaw in my thinking came a few days before.

2 months ago | dailymail.co.uk | Joe Marler

There are good guys in rugby, and then there’s Jamie George. I’ll cut to the chase: I love this man so much. I’ve known him since our late teens, when he was my first roomie on England age-grade trips. We made a great pair, in my eyes: he was Mr Positive, happy, loving the world; I was Mr Negative and hated the world. We balanced each other out until we were both in a realistic place. If you walk into a pub with Jamie today, he’s the first at the bar. He’s the first one who buys anyone a drink.

2 months ago | dailymail.co.uk | Joe Marler

I can't believe it's eight years since England last beat Scotland at Twickenham. It was my 50th cap and I remember it well. The Scots had given it the biggun all week, as they always do, and we put 61 points on them. At half-time, on the walk into the changing rooms, I made a point of barging between the massive Gray brothers, Jonny and Richie. 'Oi, lads, any chance of you lot turning up?' I said. 'It's not a training run.'I sat down with my half-time Lucozade and questioned myself for a moment.

Feb 7, 2025 | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy |Dan Biggar |Joe Marler

It would be more fitting if Antoine Dupont’s matchday kit included a mask and cape – or even a crown. Rugby’s superhero and Gallic king will grace Twickenham with his presence today, leaving England fans deeply conflicted, writes CHRIS FOY. Most spectators in the capacity crowd for Le Crunch will crave a Six Nations upset; an against-the-odds home win. But they will also pour into the stadium full of anticipation about the prospect of seeing an oval-ball icon at the peak of his powers.

Feb 7, 2025 | dailymail.co.uk | Joe Marler

The dressing room after defeat in your opening match in the Six Nations is a hard place to be. You sit there gutted, and it’s a quiet place, because every player in every team dreams in early February of walking away with a Grand Slam come the end of March. You can’t guarantee any of that, of course, in the first weekend, but you want to give yourself the best possible chance. When you lose, it sucks the momentum out of the team and the strength out of your legs.