Dan Cole is optimistic about a turnaround for England's rugby team, but he will certainly miss his roommate, Joe Marler, following Marler's announcement of his international retirement. As Cole's close friend and confidant, Marler was the first to share his decision, which left Cole with mixed feelings. “He explained his reasons, and I thought: ‘Who the heck am I going to room with now, Joe!? You’ve really put me in a tough spot!’” Cole remarked. With Marler stepping back, George Ford will take over his room, but the more significant change is the inclusion of Sale's 20-year-old prop, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, in the squad. While Cole acknowledges he will miss Marler, he understands that life goes on. At 37, he often questions his place in the sport, and the selection of the promising Opoku-Fordjour signifies a shift in the team's dynamics under coach Steve Borthwick.