Joe Marler has slammed England boss Eddie Jones ‘disrespectful’ decision to substitute Danny Care in the third test against the Wallabies.
“It was certainly a strange decision,” said Marler, who was a guest presenter on the TalkSport breakfast this morning alongside Laura Woods and Ally McCoist.
“Eddie has done this before. It is usually to send a message to the team that what’s happening isn’t good enough.
“I don’t think Danny was having his best game but he wasn’t awful by any means.
“He’s an 80 cap England international and I think the decision lacked a bit of respect in my opinion.
“It could have waited until halftime”
However, Sir Clive Woodward believes it was the right decision with the former England boss believing Care should have never started the game.
“In the build-up to the third Test, I made it clear I could not understand why Jack van Poortvliet had been dropped to the bench after such an impressive display the previous week,” wrote Woodward.
“It was a massive error. Care had a really poor half an hour, but Jones realised he had made a mistake and rectified it quickly. It takes guts to do that and his move paid off. Van Poortvliet made a huge difference when he came on.”
“I feel sorry for Danny. It is tough on any player when they are hooked out of the game so early and not for an injury or tactical reasons.
“But in Test rugby there can be no room for sentiment. I’ll repeat – it was the right call to replace him.”
EDITORS PICKS:
JOE MARLER: DREAM TEAM
Joe Marler’s dream team of players he’s coached could compete with any team from any generation of rugby.
FRONT-ROW
1. Jason Leonard (England)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
Marler on Leonard: “My Idol – I still pinch myself when I’m in his company. A juggernaut on the pitch and a legendary drinker and socialiser off it.”
SECOND-ROW
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
