Eddie Jones' departure brought to an end an era which brought great success to the England national team, but also significant turmoil behind the scenes.
During Jones' seven years in charge of the side, England won three Six Nations championships and reached the 2019 World Cup final, before departing after the 2022 Autumn Internationals concluded a poor year in which England won less than 50% of their tests.
The antics behind the scenes cast something of a shadow over Jones' reign, with Danny Cipriani suggesting the Australian coach made an inappropriate comment in the England camp, and national media reports suggesting that Jones was sacked partly due to a fallout with the English players.
Jones has continued to be an outspoken figure since returning home to Australia to take charge of the Wallabies and, though England have continued to struggle since his departure, one member of the squad has spoken out about the improved atmosphere among the group since Steve Borthwick took over in charge.
READ HERE: 'Gobsmacked' Reaction To Controversial Yellow Card At Rugby World Cup
Joe Marler suggests mood in England camp improved since Eddie Jones departure
Prop Joe Marler has travelled to his third World Cup with England, and came off the bench during their win over Argentina on the opening weekend.
The Harlequins man has played over 80 tests for England, many of which came during the Eddie Jones era - including the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
12 March 2022; England head coach Eddie Jones, right, and Joe Marler before the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
After a poor Six Nations campaign, and mixed form in the World Cup warm-up games, a decisive win for a depleted 14-man England over the might of Argentina on Saturday was a positive step for coach Steve Borthwick - and, if Joe Marler is to be believed, Borthwick is a more popular figure among the English squad than his predecessor.
Speaking ahead of England's second game of the tournament against Japan on Sunday, Marler threw a dig at former coach Jones, hinting that the mood in the camp has become far more positive since Steve Borthwick's arrival earlier this year - which saw Marler return to the England squad after time away:
Having been out of the previous environment for 18 months and then coming back into Steve’s environment and experiencing it for the first time in a World Cup camp and now here...there has been a huge difference in terms of how a lot of the group have felt, who they can be, and how they can behave
That’s had a massive effect on how the players are approaching training, and how they are enjoying themselves both on and off the pitch.
I just try my hardest to encourage that environment to keep that consistent, because it does need work, it doesn't just happen.
Having boys who are comfortable being themselves and who are encouraged to be themselves has to be a good thing, because then you enjoy the work space you’re in.
Joe Marler went on to say that his past mental health struggles had, at times, made turning up for England duty feel like a "chore," but that he is now determined to help foster a positive environment when with the national team.
England take on Japan at 8pm on Sunday in their second game of the World Cup, while Eddie Jones' Australia face Fiji in the earlier game at 4:45pm.
SEE ALSO: Brian O'Driscoll Pinpoints Major New Zealand Selection Issue
