Marler set to start for England in Cape Town
Updated | By AFP
England loosehead prop Joe Marler is set to start in the dead-rubber final Test against South Africa this Saturday after first-choice Mako Vunipola returned home.
An England Rugby statement said Vunipola, who started in the first two Tests, had quit the tour for "family reasons" as agreed before the team flew to South Africa.
Marler came off the bench as a second-half substitute for Vunipola during the losses in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.
First choice number eight Billy Vunipola and reserve loosehead prop Ellis Genge will also miss the Cape Town Test.
Vunipola fractured his arm during the 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein this weekend and Genge has failed to recover from a training-ground injury.
Alec Hepburn from Exeter Chiefs has been called up to provide front-row cover as England seek to snap a six-match losing streak since February.
The dismal run began with a defeat by Scotland in Edinburgh and other Test losses were inflicted by France, Ireland and South Africa (twice).
England conceded 63 points when beaten by the Barbarians in a warm-up game for the South Africa tour.
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz an hour ago -
Boris Kodjoe reveals that he trolls his kids' social media
Now this dad is a dad we can get down with... one that doesn't apologise...
The Workzone with Alex Jay 2 hours ago