Marler notches up 23rd England cap at Twickenham

Joe Marler stepped onto Twickenham’s hallowed turf for his 23rd cap in England’s starting line-up last Saturday.
New Zealand's Brodie Retallick (centre) is challenged by England's David Wilson (right) during the QBE International at Twickenham, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read Gareth Fuller/PA Wire RUGBYU_England_165503.JPGNew Zealand's Brodie Retallick (centre) is challenged by England's David Wilson (right) during the QBE International at Twickenham, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read Gareth Fuller/PA Wire RUGBYU_England_165503.JPG
New Zealand's Brodie Retallick (centre) is challenged by England's David Wilson (right) during the QBE International at Twickenham, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read Gareth Fuller/PA Wire RUGBYU_England_165503.JPG

Although taking on the mighty current World Champions, the New Zealand All Blacks, Joe remembered his former Haywards Heath Colts team mates of just five seasons ago. One of them, former Heath 1st XV centre Greg Jackson, asked on FaceBook on the morning of the game who would be at Twickenham that day. Amongst those chipping in with a response was a certain Joe Marler who replied: ‘Think I am, mate.’ There followed quite a few likes!

Those who saw and heard Joe ‘perform’ at Heath Clubhouse in a charity Q&A in January alongside his Harlequins teammates, Luke Wallace, Ross Chisholm and James Chisholm will not have been surprised. Joe, whose hairstyles - though still striking - are now less extreme than earlier in his career, has a sense of humour and perspective even when the pressure is on. On the field he is a tough proposition in any front row.

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On Saturday, Joe was matched against his experienced opposite number, prop Owen Franks, who boasts an impressive 65 caps. He held his own and carried well while making a few crunching tackles, contributing to England’s encouraging first half performance in which they set the All Blacks back on their heels with a scintillating third-minute try from flying winger Jonny May. But as you would expect of a team of the Kiwis’ character and experience, New Zealand came back to dominate the game in the second half, much to the disappointment of the vast majority of the capacity 81,000 crowd filling Twickenham and the millions of England supporters watching on TV, not to mention the Heath members watching in the Whiteman’s Green Clubhouse. Although the final scoreline of 21-24 was close, it is probably fair to say that that the best team won this time - but only just!

Joe, as the current Harlequins captain, may have taken some consolation from the performance of two of the ex-Heath Chisholm brothers, both of whom started for Quins last Friday in the Anglo-Welsh Cup game at The Stoop against Newport-Gwent Dragons. Although behind 8-21 at half time, Quins found their game in the second period to fight back strongly and win 31-21. The highest-rated player on the field was 19-year old James Chisholm whose two tries in Quins’ recovery secured his 8/10 rating in The Rugby Paper. He is certainly one to watch closely during this coming season.