ΤΙΜΕ ΤΟ REFLECT

Marler now enjoying work

- ALEX SPINK

JOE MARLER says joining up with England has gone from a "chore" to a pleasure under the stewardship of Steve Borthwick.

The Harlequins prop pulled out of a summer tour, then retired from Test rugby altogether when Eddie Jones was in charge.

Under Martin Johnson he tells a tale of his first England camp and the boss asking if he is going to get his hair cut - "a red mohawk with a rat's tail at the back" - before sending him home the next day.

In Le Touquet yesterday Marler, very much the joker in England's pack, stood in the middle of the pitch before training, playing the fool.