Joe Marler in contention for Welsh test

England assistant coach Matt Proudfoot has confirmed that Harlequins prop Joe Marler is in contention to face Wales in Autumn Nations Cup this weekend.

Marler has missed the Autumn Nations Cup Tests as well as the end of the 2020 Six Nations due to injury, but is back in contention to feature against Wales at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday.

"Joe's back in contention. He's a vital cog in our box this week and if he's selected we'll look to have him involved the best we can," forwards coach Proudfoot said.

"Joe's a really mature, experienced player. Wales really look to get in between you, break your set-piece apart, and a player with that experience holds it together, keeps your plan in place.

"From his personal skill set, he's really good defensively, brings a nice edge defensively. And then his ability to attack the opposition tighthead is one of his strengths.

"We understand that Wales have a really experienced front row and a really experienced pack. The way they scrummed against Georgia last weekend really impressed me."