England rugby star Joe Marler credits whole milk for miraculous recovery

England front-rower Joe Marler has put his remarkable three-and-a half-week recovery from injury down to drinking two pints of whole milk a day, after breaking his leg at the start of the year, 

The 113kg loose head prop will line up against France at Twickenham tomorrow in the first round of the Six Nations tournament.

See also:  Rugby star Tom Youngs talks Six Nations, sport and farming

Mr Marler, who was a major doubt for England’s opening two games of the tournament after he suffered a hairline fracture to his left leg at the start of January, was given special permission from coaches to switch from green- to blue-topped milk.

“It’s a historical thing. There’s lots of calcium in milk, so that helps with the bones. And teeth. It’s not a new thing – it’s been around for years,” said Mr Marler.

“I drank two pints of milk a day. It’s something I’ll keep doing because it’s really tasty.

“I always thought green top was good for you because it’s reduced fat, but they gave me licence to have blue top and the odd day I’d have gold top — the one with 1,000 calories.

“Maybe I won’t carry on with that, but blue top, it’s been really good for me.”

Joe Marler will have to be on top form against France’s Uini Antonio (centre) © Christophe Saidi/REX/Shutterstock

Mr Marler, who on Saturday will line up against France’s Uini Antonio, who weighs in at a terrifying 145kg, also ruled out using a hyperbaric chamber to speed up his recovery as he suffers from claustrophobia.

“They found one [a chamber] down in Sussex that was a bit bigger but you need to use it for 10-14 days to really have an effect and because I was going to go to Portugal we kind of sacked that off – so it was nothing other than the milk and Phil Pask [the England team’s physiotherapist].”

‘Array of nutrients’

Commenting on the story, Dr Anne Mullen, director of nutrition at the Dairy Council, said “Milk provides an array of nutrients such as protein, calcium, iodine, B vitamins and phosphorus – all of which are important for a healthy balanced diet and are beneficial after sport.

“Protein helps and calcium is essential in maintenance of healthy muscles and bones. Milk is a natural, tasty and affordable way to help your body get all the nutrients it needs after exercising – and it is important to remember that whole milk is not a ‘high-fat’ food.

“Research suggests the balance of protein and carbohydrate is exactly what muscles need to recover, and therefore milk is a great addition to the diet.”