MARLER'S ON TOP OF THE WORLD

England star wants revenge for 2019 final heartbreak... after Borthwick convinced tough prop he was in his plans

- ALEX SPINK

JOE MARLER says the chance to "shock the world" at the World Cup is the reason he has made himself available for England.

The prop has had his struggles with mental health, withdrawing from a summer tour in 2016, before retiring from Test rugby two years later.

Although he reversed his decision in order to play in the last World Cup, he has not added to his 79 caps for more than a year.

Even when head coach Steve Borthwick contacted him post Six Nations to invite him to throw his hat back in the ring, Marler almost pulled out of their meeting. "I was flirting with the thought of not going," said the 33-year-old, whose personal difficulties led him to front a documentary on mental health, especially amongst young men.

"But I thought, 'F**k it, I'll go see what he has to say'.