Joe Marler's Mohican is a well-recognised feature of the Aviva Premiership © Getty Images

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Potential England prop Joe Marler is adamant he will not change his image to appease any misgivings over his unique Mohican haircut.

The yet to be capped Harlequins front-row has been in a rich vein of form this season and despite his relatively tender years - aged just 21 - Marler appears to be on the verge of a call-up to England's squad for the forthcoming Six Nations. But with England keen to restore their battered reputation following a disappointing 2011 World Cup, Marler sees no reason why he would have to alter his image, despite reports that he will be asked to cut his hair into a more 'conservative' style.

"I don't see any reason why I would have to change, or why I need to tone down my appearance," Marler told the Daily Mirror. "There was a ridiculous article suggesting I might not get selected based on my haircut or my colourful boots.

"Colourful boots? They are black. As for my hair? Yes it is not currently its natural colour. It looks like a 60-year-old woman's blue rinse because the hair dye didn't really work. But am I going to tone it down? No. There's no need. What you look like doesn't determine how good a rugby player you are or how professional you are. I am what I am."

It is not the first time that Marler has had a run in with England over his haircut following his introduction to Martin Johnson during last year's Six Nations. Marler said: "I thought it was a passing joke. I had been called up to train with the England squad and Martin said 'Right, before we start training, get a haircut'. I laughed and he stared at me with that look that he often has. I'm sure he was actually quite serious but I think he knew you can't force that on someone."