Joe Marler says family time got his England career back on track

Joe Marler believes spending time with his family was a crucial factor in regaining his England form.

The prop forward admits that he "didn't care about rugby" after missing the triumphant June tour to Australia.

Marler knew he was not in the right frame of mind following a turbulent few months which were compounded when he was banned for two weeks for verbally abusing Wales prop Samson Lee.

By missing the series against the Wallabies he had put his England career at serious risk, but he has since re-established himself in Eddie Jones' starting XV, aided by a fresh perspective on his sport gained during the break.

"I didn't know how it was going to pan out," the Harlequins front row said.

"At that point I didn't care...without sounding like....of course I care, but at that point I was like, 'that is not important to me'.

"Instead, I wanted to go away with the family for five weeks and actually spend some time with the kids, enjoy it, come back to pre-season with Harlequins and hit it hard and see where I ended up.

"I had to make that judgement knowing that I may not get back in the squad again. As well as Eddie took it, there was always that chance.

"Stepping away from rugby a little bit and making more effort with my family, and realising that they are my number one priority and the thing that I enjoy most, has helped on the field. Doing less is more in that regard."