DAN UP LIKE A KIPPER

Marler's shock retirement left pal Cole looking for a new roomie

- ADAM HATHAWAY

DAN COLE waved his best mate Joe Marler into international retirement as one of the new breed of young English props moved in to replace him.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 20, was called into camp on Sunday but Cole was more worried about his who new room-mate would be.

The pair of props have been close friends since Marler's debut in 2012 but the loosehead called time on his Test career at the weekend leaving Cole looking for a new roomie.

Marler's 95 caps means they share 211 England appearances between them but the Harlequin will not be at England's Bagshot base any more while Cole rumbles on.

Marler broke the news to Cole when he pitched up into camp the Sunday before the week of the New Zealand game, leaving Cole shocked at the timing but not entirely.