Harlequins captain Joe Marler: I’ve no idea what sort of skipper I’m going to be

EXCLUSIVE

England prop Joe Marler is brutally honest about his elevation to the Harlequins captaincy this season.

Marler, who has replaced England captain Chris Robshaw as Quins skipper, goes into tomorrow’s London Double Header against London Irish at Twickenham admitting: “I have no idea what sort of captain I am going to be.

“My only experience at age-group level was one Under-18 game and that was some time ago but I have a 100 per cent winning record!

“I have a very experienced group around me at Quins and I love this club to bits. I want to help shape where we go from here.

“Chris has done an unbelievable job in taking us to the top of the Premiership, winning three trophies during his time. Hopefully it will be that much easier with the experienced guys helping along the way and it is very much a case of seeing how it goes.”

Eyebrows were raised when Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea named Marler as captain because it seemed certain Robshaw would continue his success at club level. However, O’Shea insists it is a logical step, given Robshaw will have so much pressure building up to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Marler, 24, is fully aware of the debate over the Quins captaincy. However, he is used to dividing opinion, having put himself in the spotlight with a variety of striking haircuts and beards.