England handed Six Nations boost as Joe Marler pushes for Harlequins return

Veteran prop could face Ulster in the Champions Cup after lingering biceps issue
Nick Purewal18 January 2024

England prop Joe Marler is pushing to return from injury for Harlequins this weekend, boosting the prospect of him being fit for the start of the Six Nations.

The experienced loose-head was on Wednesday named in England’s Six Nations squad, despite still battling a biceps injury. His 21-year-old Quins team-mate Fin Baxter is on England standby in case of any issue with the loose-heads in the squad.

But now Quins hope 33-year-old Marler could be ready to feature in Saturday’s Champions Cup clash against Ulster at The Stoop.

Marler suffered his injury against Gloucester on December 30. The 88-cap front-rower has been a Six Nations doubt ever since, with his club unable to pinpoint exactly how long he would need for his recovery.

A breakthrough this week, however, leaves Marler closing in on his return.

“There were some results we had to wait for and some decisions that still needed to be made, but that’s all gone really well,” said Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson.

“So now he‘s on track to be available for selection this weekend. There were a lot of ifs and buts along the way, but he’s made great progress. He’s worked extremely hard, he’s diligent, whatever he’s asked to do, he does.

Back in action: Joe Marler hopes to play for Harlequins against Ulster this weekend
Getty Images

“So, he’s done that, given himself the best chance, so we’ll see. Joe’s was an injury where we needed to go stage by stage, and he’s managed to tick the right boxes to get to this point now.”

Marler’s readiness to start the Six Nations will come as a relief to head coach Steve Borthwick, and represents a second quick-fire boost at prop.

Ellis Genge this week said he expects to be ready to start the Six Nations, too, having been out of action since early December with a hamstring injury.

England open their Six Nations account against Italy in Rome on February 3.

This time last week, Borthwick was facing a potential loose-head headache, with Genge and Marler doubtful and Bevan Rodd missing the entire championship after foot surgery.

But now England’s top two loose-heads should be good to go, with Bath’s in-form Beno Obano also in the squad.

Marler pushed himself to the front of the queue at the World Cup, and Borthwick will look to lean on his scrummaging prowess again in the Six Nations.

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