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England star Joe Marler inadvertently produced his "greatest assist ever" in their Rugby World Cup clash with Japan.
Steve Borthwick's side held a slender 13-12 lead in the second half at the Allianz Riviera in Nice when an attack looked to have broken down as a result of a knock on. George Ford's pass was fumbled by Will Stuart before it also bounced off Marler.
The ball then landed kindly in front a free Courtney Lawes, who was allowed to carry on and put the ball down for a try thanks to a great on-field call by Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli.
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Stuart's mis-timed touch had gone backwards onto the head of Marler, meaning it wasn't a knock-on. A TMO check confirmed all was well as the try was awarded.
Co-commentating for ITV Sport, former England international Ben Kay said: "It comes backwards off that hand and hits Joe Marler's head. I think that's play on. That is Joe Marler's greatest ever assist."
Have you ever seen the like on a rugby pitch? Let us know in the comments section.
Fans lapped up the bizarre moment on social media, with one taking to X, formerly Twitter, and teasing: "Good header. Best thing Joe Marler has done in an England shirt [smirking face emoji]."
Another exclaimed: "A Joe Marler header assist who would have thought [crying laughter emoji]." A third commented: "I’ll post something meaningful in a minute, still laughing at Joe Marler’s header."
"Joe Marler's Mohawk, the playmaker England didn't know they needed," joked a fourth, while a fifth wrote: "Joe Marler headed that down like a 1970s Fourth Division centre forward."
After Lawes' try, England went on to get over the line twice more with Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant getting on the scoresheet and securing a bonus point with a 34-12 victory.
- Rugby World Cup
- Rugby union
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