An incident that saw England prop Joe Marler get intimately acquainted with Alun Wyn Jones didn’t go unnoticed as England and Wales players clashed just moments into their eagerly anticipated Six Nations showdown in Twickenham.
Wales’ wing George North’s massive carry to the line six minutes into the game saw a build-up of bodies and things – somewhat inevitably – boiled over.
Marler, known for his on-field mischief, took it to the next level with an attempted bit of sleight of hand with Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones.
Joe Marler doing Joe Marler things. ? pic.twitter.com/UF4NNaHGgz
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 7, 2020
An alarmed looking Jones, himself known for bringing plenty of edge to the contest, looked to the assistant referee for help but none was coming.
It was a moment that evoked the infamous Vinny Jones ball grab on Paul Gascoigne during a Premier League match in the mid-1990s.
James Haskell noted: “I’m kind of gutted that Joe Marler only squirted me with water. You must be his favourite Alun Wyn Jones.”
Joe Marler checking for how big Alun Wyn Jones bush is! Yellow card?!
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 7, 2020
Joe Marler cupping Alun Wyn’s balls is the greatest moment in 6 Nations history
— Alex (@alexpaul85) March 7, 2020
Im kind of gutted that @JoeMarler only squirted me with water now?? You must be his favourite @AlunWynJones
Joe you are genius. The face on you!!?? https://t.co/Q3ITw6YVoX
— James Haskell (@jameshaskell) March 7, 2020
Joe Marler grabbing AWJ’s crown jewels there. Clearly caught by the TV cameras. Naughty. #ENGvWAL
— Delme Parfitt (@delmeparfitt) March 7, 2020
Joe Marler is a walking meme machine ?
Someone gif him “fiddling” with Alun Wyn Jones’ junk#ENGvWAL
— Tim Cocker (@cocker) March 7, 2020
Wales must beat England to stand any chance of retaining the Six Nations crown they won in 2019 under former coach Warren Gatland.
They have lost on their last four visits to Twickenham, with their previous success coming in a 28-25 victory in 2015.
– additional reporting AAP
WATCH: Jim discusses the ramifications of the Six Nations going behind a pay wall and no longer being shown on free to watch TV.
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