Joe Marler is credited for serving to develop ‘Test match animals’

Joe Marler has been restored to England’s starting front row, ready to take another step towards a century of caps – as he and fellow veteran Dan Cole were acclaimed for helping to develop ‘Test match animals’.

The 33-year-old Harlequins prop will line up at loosehead against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, more than 12 years since his international debut. Having previously retired from England duty before having a re-think, the jovial front-rower and Mail Sport columnist continues to have a profound impact on the fortunes of the national team.

Steve Borthwick paid tribute to Marler and Cole – who will be among the reserves this weekend, as Will Stuart has been picked to start at tighthead. ‘Joe and Dan are exceptional players and are also incredibly influential on the players around them,’ said the head coach.

‘The significance of their leadership in this squad is enormous. I have asked of them very specific roles about their play and how I want them to get better as rugby players and the influence they have on the younger players.

‘The experience they have means they see things happening faster. Maybe Coley is not as quick as he was, but he sees things faster and moves into position earlier. How can you help teach all the other players these things you have learnt by playing 113 Tests? Joe Marler is the same – teaching them to be Test match animals.’

Joe Marler (pictured) has been credited for helping develop ‘Test match animals’ by Steve Borthwick

Marler is preparing to return to the England front line in their upcoming game against New Zealand

Borthwick (left) said that the ‘significance of their (Marler and Dan Cole) leadership in this squad is enormous’

While Marler will win cap No 94, his club-mate Fin Baxter will step up as the next generation of English prop talent, with the Quins rookie poised for his Test debut at the age of 22. He has been named on the bench, ahead of Sale’s Bevan Rodd – who started against Japan in Tokyo – and Borthwick has every faith in the newcomer’s set-piece credentials.

‘Fin has shown his ability to scrum against some very big packs in European rugby – and this New Zealand team is a very big and really well-drilled pack,’ he said. With Northampton wing Ollie Sleightholme also set to make his debut, the head coach added: ‘I’m looking forward to seeing how these young players go. I think they’re going to be big parts of the England team for years to come.’

Beyond the front row, England’s starting XV from Tokyo has remained unchanged, while Alex Coles has been added to the bench contingent, in place of the banned Charlie Ewels.