Photo of Joe Marler as an England U18 player goes viral, he looks so different
Rugby NewsFriday, 24 May 2024 at 13:53
A viral photo of Joe Marler during his England U18 days has left fans astounded, as the front-rower appears almost unrecognisable.
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Despite his slightly more mature appearance compared to teammates, Marler's early career with club and country didn't draw much attention.
However, upon joining the Harlequins' first team, he underwent a dramatic transformation, covering himself in tattoos, sporting dyed hair, and cultivating his iconic mullet and Viking-like beard.
One fan said: "Who is this? Doesn't look like Marler at all?"
A second said: "Marler has definitely aged like a fine wine,"
Marler is in no doubt as to why he started life as a prop way back in 2003.
"I was the short, fat one basically," he says. "I used to think being a prop was all about just being a power player, but I've learned a lot from my time here and with England. Scrummaging is my main strength, but I realise the need to get around the park and become a ball-carrier in today's game.
"You only have to look at players like Andrew Sheridan and Carl Hayman to see that."
The 33-man England Squad Steve Borthwick Should Select For Summer Tour
It's been a decade since England's last visit to New Zealand, a challenging 2014 series under Stuart Lancaster resulting in a 3-0 defeat.
The memories of the 2008 tour aren't any sweeter, with England tasting defeat in both Tests against the All Blacks. However, a glimmer of triumph emerged in 2003, as they secured a thrilling 15-13 victory over New Zealand just before the Rugby World Cup.
In this highly anticipated tour, Borthwick's squad will face a formidable challenge with only two tests against the All Blacks, following a clash with Japan in Tokyo.
Here is the list of our predicted squad organised by their current clubs:
RUCK's England squad for the summer:
Harlequins
- Joe Marler
- Fin Baxter
- Chandler Cunningham-South
- Marcus Smith
Bristol Bears
- Harry Randall
- Gabriel Ibitoye
Saracens
- Jamie George
- Theo Dan
- Maro Itoje
- Ben Earl
- Elliot Daly
Northampton Saints
- Curtis Langdon
- Alex Mitchell
- Fin Smith
- Tommy Freeman
- George Furbank
- Ollie Sleightholme
Sale Sharks
- Asher Opoku-Fordjour
- George Ford
Bath
- Will Stuart
- Sam Underhill
- Alfie Barbeary
- Ben Spencer
- Beno bank
- Ollie Lawrence
Leicester Tigers
- Dan Cole
- George Martin
- Freddie Steward
Exeter Chiefs
- Rusi Tuima
- Henry Slade
- Ethan Roots
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Newcastle Falcons
- Guy Pepper
Guy Pepper of Newcastle Falcons during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Newcastle Falcons at the Recreation Ground on 14 October 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Gloucester
- Zach Mercer
Final whistle celebrations for Zach Mercer of Gloucester Rugby after beating Leicester Tigers during the Premiership Rugby Cup Final match between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm Stadium on March 15th, 2024 in Gloucester, England. Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK
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