The turning point of the meeting between England and Japan, Sunday evening in Nice, was this try from the captain, Courtney Lawes, receiving a pass from the head of his pillar Joe Marler. The man with the peroxide crest returned with a lot of humor to this accidental gesture in the mixed zone after the victory of the XV de la Rose
“It’s obvious that you’re surprised. Yet it was expected, it's been my specialty for years, the Harlequins player laughed. Work pays. It was a crazy try. I didn't know what was happening but it worked. THANKS." And to admit that he did not know if the Georgian referee would validate the action. “Honestly, no idea. I didn't even know where I was. But it was calculated. I worked on head balls in the warm-up with Dan Cole and Jamie George. (…) I was inspired by Brighton, which was a success for Manchester United, the team that my son encourages. I did like them, I managed.”
Joe Marler (33), who has never scored a single try in 83 caps since 2012 for England, continued the show in the mixed zone. “That’s my only assist, right? I didn't even give it a single try. That's a record. The most selections without the slightest attempt…”