Joe Marler defends England's route-one style: 'Ultimately it's about the win'

09/18/2023 05:00 PM

• Prop compared situation to England's 2003 'ugly' success
• Team's play in France has been labelled 'repulsive rugby'

Joe Marler has pointed to how England won "ugly" at the 2003 World Cup, in defence of the current side's style of play amid fierce criticism despite back-to-back victories in France.

Steve Borthwick's side clinched a bonus-point victory against Japan on Sunday to move to the verge of the quarter-finals but were booed by their own supporters for their route‑one gameplan in Nice.