Joe Marler sends sheepish Twitter message ahead of Barbarians call-up

Joe Marler has left a simple message on Twitter after being called up to face England for the Barbarians next week.

The prop, who retired from England duty at the beginning of the season, left the message “Well this should be fun…”

Since the news was announced that Marler would be playing for the Baabaas, fans on social media have been looking forward to his appearance.

The prospect of him lining up against his former international teammates is one that promises to be very interesting at Twickenham.

What makes this more enticing is that many fans have been calling for Marler to be recalled to the England squad, particularly after Mako Vunipola’s recent injury that has ruled him out for three months.

The Saracens prop sustained the injury in the Champions Cup final, to cap off a season that has been hit by injuries. In his absence, Eddie Jones has struggled to find replacements for both Vunipola and Marler.

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Although the loosehead opted to retire from international rugby, this is not too dissimilar to Chris Ashton’s match against England in the fixture last year. After playing in Toulon for a year, the winger was ineligible to play for England, and went on to score a hattrick against England.

Like Ashton was last year, Marler is a player that would still feature for England were he available, and it is no surprise that he is looking forward to this fixture.

Some are hoping that this game is effectively an audition for the Eastbourne born loosehead to stake a claim for an England shirt ahead of the World Cup in September.

While no one will know what the Harlequins prop’s future plans are, he will surely enjoy being part of one of rugby’s proudest and most unique traditions.