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'He's keen to go': Harlequins issue update on Joe Marler broken foot

By Josh Raisey
Joe Marler of England looks on during the England Rugby squad captain's run at Eden Park on July 12, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson has said that England loosehead Joe Marler is making “good progress” as he recovers from a broken foot.

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Quins have been without their prop for the entirety of their pre-season after he broke his left foot in the opening 20 minutes of England’s first Test against the All Blacks in Dunedin in July.

Marler himself has since given a less-than-positive update, disclosing that his recovery has been “slower than expected”, but his boss has allayed any fears that he will be out any longer than the original 14-week prognosis.

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Indeed, Wilson even added that the 34-year-old is “keen to go” ahead of his 16th season of professional rugby, but they may need to curb his enthusiasm slightly and stick to the original recovery timeframe.

A 14-week recovery period would mean that the 95-cap England prop would be expected to return for round four of the Gallagher Premiership against Saracens at the Stoop after missing the opening three fixtures against Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons and champions Northampton Saints.

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This timeframe will please England boss Steve Borthwick, who should have his prop available for the Autumn Nations Series.

“He’s on the same track and making good progress on the timeframe we originally spoke about,” Wilson said.

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“I don’t know what that is now counting the weeks down, but it was a 14-week injury from when it happened. He’s making some good progress, he’s in really good spirits at the moment.

“He’s been in the environment today and obviously doing his own training as well as doing bits and pieces with the squad. He looks great at the moment and he’s keen to go, but we obviously need to tick all the boxes before we get him on the field.”

Quins travel to Manchester on Sunday to take on Sale in a tough opening match of the season. Despite a few absentees, Wilson is buoyant about the health of his squad heading into the match.

“Nothing came out of the Treviso game of any worry. Nothing new. The same players are on their graded return.

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“Joe Marler and a couple others are returning from injury but on the whole our squad is in a pretty decent place right now.

“That will get tested- six Premiership games on the bounce and then into a different competition, so it will get tested but right at this minute now we start at a reasonably good place.”

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Bull Shark 42 minutes ago
Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027

I think cull is the wrong word.


I think Rassie and the senior players will be pretty open and honest with each other about their prospects for another World Cup campaign. And, ironically, I don’t think Rassie is thinking as far ahead as 2027 in terms of who is going to go.


There are likely going to be injuries too where players one would assume will be at 2027 won’t feature. Think Marx and Am and 2023.


I think the priority is really having as many players as possible in contention for a spot on the 33 by the time squad selection comes around.


I made this point a while ago, but having double World Cup winners in the setup over the next 3 years is going to be golden for the boks. It’s like having a coach in each position.


Razor was criticized for having too many coaches in his team. Rassie has more than 15 player coaches at his disposal.


I think Siya is being teed up to play the same role Duane did at the 2023 RWC. Invitation to the coaching box this coming weekend included.


I think many of the old guard are playing a role in the team that certainly does not guarantee them a 2027 place but doesn’t hurt their chances at being selected - but they will have to be the no.1 or no. 2 best in that position to be selected at that time. There won’t be any dead weight - whether old or young.


In my mind the strategy would be quite simple. Take everyone who will be over 32 by 2027 and pencil their names in right now in slot number three for their relative position. We know what they can do and they know what they need to do to be in contention for 2027.


Then ask yourself who do we have to take position no.1 and no. 2. Tried and tested or not. Find them and trial them over the next 3 years. Their job is to keep the old guys out. And the old guys job is to help them do just that.


That’s what Rassie has to do and has started well trying 48 players and 11 debutants in year one as the article mentioned (and winning).


I reckon there’ll be another 5-10 new players tried by the end of this year, particularly in November.


2024 ✅

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