The internet is reacting to Joe Marler's 'ball and all' Alun Wyn Jones pinch

An incident that saw England prop Joe Marler get intimately acquainted with Alun Wyn Jones didn’t go unnoticed as England and Wales players clashed just moments into their eagerly anticipated Six Nations showdown in Twickenham.

Wales’ wing George North’s massive carry to the line six minutes into the game saw a build-up of bodies and things – somewhat inevitably – boiled over.

Marler, known for his on-field mischief, took it to the next level with an attempted bit of sleight of hand with Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones.

https://twitter.com/nickheathsport/status/1236335562577063938

An alarmed looking Jones, himself known for bringing plenty of edge to the contest, looked to the assistant referee for help but none was coming.

It was a moment that evoked the infamous Vinny Jones ball grab on Paul Gascoigne during a Premier League match in the mid-1990s.

James Haskell noted: “I’m kind of gutted that Joe Marler only squirted me with water. You must be his favourite Alun Wyn Jones.”

https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/1236335357416869888
https://twitter.com/alexpaul85/status/1236335156732014593
https://twitter.com/jameshaskell/status/1236341840749748224
https://twitter.com/delmeparfitt/status/1236335289750171654
https://twitter.com/cocker/status/1236335279784558593

Wales must beat England to stand any chance of retaining the Six Nations crown they won in 2019 under former coach Warren Gatland.

They have lost on their last four visits to Twickenham, with their previous success coming in a 28-25 victory in 2015.

– additional reporting AAP

WATCH: Jim discusses the ramifications of the Six Nations going behind a pay wall and no longer being shown on free to watch TV.