Joe Marler: Why England should not underestimate Wales with a title of six nations in sight, as I did arrogantly in 2013: they will have a desire for revenge and a victory in Cardiff will save their disappointing season

There is nothing like being an England player who is going to Cardiff to face Wales in a possible decision -making match. And I should know, because I made an impious disaster of my first attempt.

I was arrogant English peak in 2013 – 22 years, going to the west to seal the Grand Slam. All I could think was: “It will be incredible when we raise that trophy on Saturday night.” There was no smell of doubt in my mind.

The first idea of ​​a defect in my thought came a few days before. The atmosphere around the hotel of our team in Cardiff Bay was so hostile that we couldn't even get out of coffees. Then we went to the Millennium stadium to make our team. We did our usual exercises. In one, my feet slipped and I was a *** on t **. Usually, I was fine with this kind of thing. Instead, I felt ashamed, as if my ego had been abolished. What was happening here?

Then came the day. Each meter on the street while we drove to the stadium was bordered from people with red t -shirts, narcissos hats, dragons painted on their faces. I was accustomed to Twickenham, where the uniform was yellow cables, brown brogues and Barbour jackets. This was an adequate clash of culture. They were working class people, like me. They were all giving us their finger, even the children.

I still didn't understand. In fact, I told myself. 'Ah-ha, you will not make those gestures when we raise the trophy in your backyard in a few hours' time …'

I was perfectly dyed. We were going to return through the Severn bridge as heroes.

Joe Marler de Mail Sport is very aware of the atmosphere that awaits England in Cardiff

It was in 2013 when a 22 -year -old Marler underestimated the Wesses in a decision -making game

Wales dominated England to win the six nations, largely thanks to their fans on the ground

But Wales had a completely different plan. From the first scrum to the last one before the 44 minutes were taken away, I was in an absolute hole. The noise! The poison! This was a story, it was political. It was poisonous if you wore a white shirt. It was like an avalanche, our defeat that day. Our hammer.

I ran out of the vertiginous tunnel with emotion. While we waited for the beginning, I was so lost in my delusional world that I really shouted something in the night air: “Grand Slam!”

Oh Joe. Oh Joe, O Joe. When I got the hook, after Adam Jones gave me his butt on a plate, I was able to listen to all Welsh fans laughing at me. It was so strong that I couldn't hear me breathe. I was really breathing after what the bomb had done to me? It was difficult to be sure. I knew one thing: they were never going to choose me again for England. I was ashamed of myself, my teammates and my family.

Was it better that Mako Vunipola continued instead of me and immediately gave a penalty in his first scrum? A bit. Did you give me when Mike Brown was beaten in the face by a ball thrown by a Welsh player, tried to complain to the referee and laughed? Maybe.

Because everything was beautiful, when I reflected it later. It was one of the best atmospheres I have played. When you are in such a hostile place, you sink or swim. That day, I sank like a stone.

But he gave me the experience to face when I went to similar places. It helped me eliminate that childhood arrogance. It made me a man.

So I tell this to the boys in England who are going to Cardiff today, who can be looking at the loser streak of Wales and thinking that it will be easy. Do not underestimate the power of those fans. Do not underestimate the power of that stadium. And do not underestimate the desire for revenge of those bruised players. Beat England and your season is saved.

Speaking of that, sometimes I found myself in a cucumber against Wales. You may remember the incident with Alun-Wyn Jones in 2020, when I tested fantasy in a way that may not have done so.

England has the experience of choosing, but I should not think that Saturday's game will be easy

Steve Borthwick's team has an external possibility of winning the championship in the final game

Well, karma reaches you fast. This week, I had a vasectomy. The urologist who carried out the operation turned out to be a head of obligations at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

For some reason, a little light put on the anesthetic, so when he performed the critical part of the surgery, I went through a level of pain to which we can probably refer like 10 awj. I deserved it. By 2020, if nothing more.