England's Joe Marler calls out press for violating Japan's bathing protocol

England’s Joe Marler put on a clinic in the art of international diplomacy at the Rugby World Cup on Monday, laying down the law on Japan’s bathing etiquette.

The Harlequins prop rebuked English journalists for “offending Japanese culture” by wearing trunks in an “onsen” — a traditional hot spring where bathers customarily enter the water naked with just a small hand towel to protect their modesty.

While in Kobe ahead of their 45-7 Pool C rout over the United States, England’s players found themselves sharing a soak with members of the travelling press — and gave reporters a hard time for failing to strip down properly.

Asked about England’s game with Argentina in Tokyo this weekend, Marler went off on an unexpected tangent, getting himself into a lather about the cultural faux pas.

“Apparently you lot have offended the Japanese culture,” barked the 29-year-old, one of the World Cup’s most striking players with his blonde quiff, shaved sides and bushy black beard.

“It says specifically no shorts — I wore a vest to cover my tatts and socks, but nothing here,” added Marler, pointing to his lower body.

“Because I didn’t want to offend them. And yet you’re swanning about the place in swim shorts — it’s ridiculous!”

Marler also got shirty when asked about Mako Vunipola’s possible return from injury against the dangerous Pumas, which could give England coach Eddie Jones a selection headache at loosehead as they look to cement their place at the top of the tournament’s so-called group of death.
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