Joe Marler, the former England rugby player, has expressed his eagerness to join ITV’s punditry team for the upcoming Six Nations tournament. His main motivation behind this request is to engage in direct confrontation with Eddie Jones, his former coach. Jones, who currently coaches Japan’s national team, will be providing analysis for ITV during the tournament. Marler has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Jones in the past and is now keen to have a face-off with him on live television.
The Mirror reported that Marler, who retired from professional rugby in November, took to social media to make his request to ITV. He specifically mentioned his desire to challenge Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward on the channel’s rugby coverage. Marler’s criticisms of Jones stem from the challenging atmosphere within the England team during Jones’ tenure as head coach. In a recent podcast interview, Marler highlighted the stark differences between the environments created by Jones and the current England coach, Steve Borthwick.
During the podcast, Marler mentioned the intense training methods employed by Jones during England’s tour to South Africa, where several players suffered injuries. In an article for Mail+, Marler revealed how Jones seemed indifferent to the players’ physical well-being, prioritising his own plan over their welfare. Despite these criticisms, Marler also acknowledged moments of compassion from Jones, particularly when Marler was going through a difficult period in his personal life and decided to step back from international rugby.
Marler’s desire to confront Jones directly on ITV’s Six Nations coverage reflects his willingness to address past grievances and differences in a public forum. His request has generated interest and speculation among rugby fans, with many eager to see how this potential on-screen confrontation would unfold. Given Marler’s reputation for being outspoken and candid, his inclusion in the ITV punditry team could bring an added layer of intrigue to the Six Nations coverage.
While Marler and Jones may have had their disagreements in the past, the mutual respect between the two individuals is evident. Marler’s willingness to engage in a televised discussion with Jones shows a commitment to addressing issues in a constructive manner. As the Six Nations tournament approaches, the prospect of Marler and Jones sharing the same platform on ITV adds an intriguing dynamic to the rugby coverage. Rugby fans will be eagerly anticipating any developments regarding Marler’s plea to join the ITV team for the upcoming tournament and the potential interactions between him and Jones.