Joe Marler has reflected on his time under Eddie Jones as England head coach, respecting the controversial Australian despite his tendency to push players to their limits.
Writing for the UK’s Daily Mail, the recently retired prop opens up after recent endorsements of Jones by England internationals Jonny May and Ollie Lawrence.
Their praise, in response to criticism from former stars Danny Care and Danny Cipriani, highlights Jones’ management style as he prepares to lead Japan against England at Twickenham on Sunday.
Marler views this week’s clash as timely, with England’s current team showing potential under Steve Borthwick.
He recalls Jones’ abrasive but calculated approach after England’s disastrous 2015 Rugby World Cup. Jones’ clarity in returning to England’s traditional strengths led to immediate success, including a Grand Slam and an 18-match winning streak.
“It’s the stories you hear about first, when you’re getting ready to meet Eddie Jones for the first time,” Marler writes. “So when he was appointed England head coach in the aftermath of our disastrous 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, my expectations were low.
“We’d just crashed out in the group stages, and I’d been rubbish. So I was done for. And then Eddie announced his first squad – and I was in it.
“He called a meeting on his first morning and this was the gist: today’s a clean slate, I’ve heard lots about you but I’m going to form my own opinions. Genuinely encouraging, all round.”
ALSO: England stars defend ‘relentless’ Eddie
However, the 95-Test Marler and his peers raised an eyebrow at whether Jones’ rigorous training was intentional strategy or mismanagement.
“We weren’t stupid. We knew this was pre-planned. We also understood it was a dig at the way we had been in that World Cup,” he writes.
“He took us out onto the training pitch. That’s when it began. Five minutes in, he lost the plot. ‘What the hell is this? You’re rubbish! You blokes are running around like you’re playing rugby league. This is rugby union, mate! It’s not rugby league!’
“It carried on like that for the first few weeks. Relentlessly abrasive.
“And it was really good. We needed someone to stir the pot. We needed someone to drag us out of this black hole of World Cup grief and introspection. Eddie had a plan.”
Despite his flaws, Marler acknowledges Jones’ compassion, sharing how the former Australia boss supported him during personal struggles, offering understanding and consistent check-ins.
“When I was going through a dark time in my life, when I decided I couldn’t play for England any more.
“He was brilliant. ‘Mate, I can see it in your eyes. Let me know if there’s anything we can do to help. Can we help you see someone?’
“That’s why I’ll always be a supporter of him. Never blindly loyal, and never blind to the errors he made and those players he let down. But appreciate of all he was. The myths, the mistakes. The mongrel magic.”
Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP
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