Joe Marler is back in England. Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers
Joe Marler said the chance to 'shock the world' and meeting Steve Borthwick face-to-face to confirm the England manager was not a 'liar' convinced the Harlequins mainstay to get involved. in a third World Cup.
Marler, who retired from International Rugby in 2018 only to make a dramatic reversal and play in England's FIFA World Cup campaign in Japan next year, said he was considering not participating in this year's tournament in France ahead of a key meeting with Borthwick in May.
The 33-year-old's last of 79 England caps came in last year's Six Nations against France, and his international career was derailed when former head coach Eddie Jones missed him in the autumn Test series and Borthwick also missed out on him for participation in the “Six” this year. Nations.
But Borthwick contacted Marler after the championship to determine “where he was” and if he was in the right frame of mind to try to win a place in the 33-man England team heading to France. .
Marler revealed that he was going to call Borthwick on the eve of a meeting with him and assistant manager Kevin Sinfield to tell him that he was not going to expose himself, but decided to check if the England manager was being truthful about his chances of winning. creating a squad.
“I told him, 'I'll be honest with you, Steve, I was going to call you last night and say I'm not coming, but I thought I should come and talk to you face to face and look into you. eye and see if you're a liar or not,” Marler said.
Joe Marler was told he would have to flee if he wanted to go to France. Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers
“He was like [what!], Kev Sinfield too. I said, “I need to look you in the eye – I don't trust anyone, but you can probably tell a lot about someone by looking them in the eye – and ask you if there's a real chance of getting into your 33 or you they're just going to use me as cannon fodder before the semi-finalists and finalists get there.
“Because if that’s the case, then I’m probably too old. There are plenty of other guys who can do it for you. Even though I am very good at holding a bag, I am a world-class master at it. But I'm not sure if the sacrifice, the effort you have to make, being away from family, the commitment you have to make, will be worth it if you just want me to be the bag holder. .
“But you say there's a chance, if I work on it, not a guarantee, but a chance, then I'm all yours.” And I need to look into your eyes and see if you're lying to me or not.”
“Then he blinked the longest in history, it was like a minute before finally opening his eyes. and said, “Joe, there's a real chance that if you work hard enough, you can be successful at my age of 33.”
There was one “but”. Borthwick wants him to reinforce the standard England move, but still be fit enough to survive in open play.
“He said, 'You have to run,'” Marler added. “I said, 'Run?' He said: “Yes, you have to run, then run, and then run some more.”
“I told him that if there was a chance and if I worked hard enough, I could get into this 33 years , then I'm all yours, mate.
Steve Borthwick convinced Marler to compete for a place at the World Championships. : PA Wire/Nick Potts
“I said, ‘You gave me a goal and something to aim for, that’s what I need to wake up in the morning to really go and go, right. I'm aiming for it now.”
Marler pulled out of the 2016 England tour of Australia and also excluded himself from the 2021 Six Nations due to mental health issues and wanting to be with his family. But trying to win the World Cup on his third try – he also played in the 2015 tournament – now inspires him.
“In order to relive 2015, I actually look back and am grateful for having experienced it” Marler added. “Both the highs of 2019 and its lows (England lost in the final to South Africa) – imagine if we could go from the low of 2019 to 2023, shock the world and really lift this trophy. Imagine, that's what I tell myself, imagine this feeling, and this is a powerful engine for me.
“Yes, there is faith, otherwise I probably would not bother. It's not about the money anymore, if there's a real chance we should go and win this trophy, I'm on board.”
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