Joe Marler's "courageous" decision to miss England's upcoming tour to Australia will have been eased by Eddie Jones' "honest" man-management, according to George Ford.
Harlequins prop Marler this week stood himself down from England duty for next month's three-Test tour of Australia, admitting he was not 100 per cent after recent disciplinary troubles.
England boss Jones offered Ford a few days off from the Brighton training camp this week, in the wake of his club coach and father Mike's departure from Bath.
Jones has explained that Ford declined his offer of a break, but the Bath playmaker revealed England's top players have quickly come to appreciate their Australian boss' ability to know when to push and when to step back.
"I honestly think it's courageous from Joe," Ford told Press Association Sport, of Marler's decision not to tour with England.
"A lot of people potentially would have tried to get through it, knowing that they wouldn't be 100 per cent to give all they've got.
"So with Joe it's always team first, he's a great lad, everybody loves him, everybody respects his decision."
Marler recently revealed he has sought help to cut out the disciplinary problems, says he needs to rest rather than tour Australia to return to 100 per cent.
He has been given unequivocal backing by England boss Jones.
While Jones is well-known for his taskmaster style, Ford believes his recent actions with Marler and others point to a level of empathy that the England squad hold in high respect.
"Eddie totally understands it, he knows lads go through difficult stages in their career," Ford said.
"He knows lads potentially want to go and achieve different things.
"But the best thing with him is that he talks to you all the time, he's honest with you, he lets you know where he stands, he lets you know what he thinks.
"And that's all you need as a player, because if you understand what he's thinking and you get his backing on certain things then you can go and crack on do what you do."
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