Despite being one of the most likable England stars of the modern era, Joe Marler did occasionally hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
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#1. Marler vs Azerza
Both players were red carded by referee Wayne Barnes, who saw the incident unfold right in front of him, with Leicester prop Marcos Ayerza head butting Marler, who then retaliated with a few seemingly well placed punches in 2011.
As Marler admitted his guilt, he would ordinarily have had his ban cut in half but, unlike Ayerza whose last appearance before a disciplinary panel was more than five years before following a citing, Marler was banned for three weeks after being sent off playing for England in the Junior World Championship against Japan in 2009 and so a good behaviour record could not be taken into account.
Marler and Ayerza told the panel, which found that the Harlequin had started the fracas by grabbing his opponent’s headgear, that they had barely felt the blows and that neither had suffered any sort of injury
#2. Marler vs Haskell
England teammates but Premiership rivals James Haskell and Marler scrap on the field before making up after the game in 2017. What could have been quite a nasty incident was quickly sorted.
However, Marler was given a citing commissioner’s warning for his role in the incident – pulling at Haskell’s scrum cap and squirting his England and Lions team‑mate with water.
#3. Marler vs Vickers
Newcastle Falcons hooker Rob Vickers made his 100th appearance for the club against Harlequins in 2011, but marred the occasion by picking up a yellow card for a punch on Marler after the Quins prop got in his head.
#4. Joe Marler vs du Preez brothers
Cracking analysis from BT Sport of Marler taking on all three Du Preez brothers from Harlequins clash with Sale Sharks in January 2020.
#5. Splatted Fat de Klerk
With the Springboks trailing England 12-6 after 50 minutes, the quick-footed scrum-half darted off the defensive line to deliver a big hit on Marler, who he anticipated would receive an offload.
However, the ball never reached Marler, and de Klerk, somewhat humorously, bounced off the prop, who responded with a look of disapproval. The England player then easily tossed de Klerk aside with one hand, providing some comic relief amidst the on-field action. The two players quickly moved on, seemingly sharing a moment of light-hearted rugby banter.
#6. Spot on
Standing in the defensive line, now around two and a half metres from the ball, Marler sledged the Exeter Chiefs scrum-half.
“You’re f—— boring me, hurry up!” was the shout. BT Sport have kindly bleeped out the expletive here:
Joe Marler didn’t speak to teammate for 18 months, they just didn’t get on
England prop Joe Marler is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two – especially when it’s about someone he doesn’t particularly like.
#1. Sir Clive Woodward
Woodward tore apart Eddie Jones’ side during a webinar, slamming Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their behaviour in a press conference prior to the loss against South Africa back in November. This wasn’t the first time the 2003 World Cup-winning coach called out the prop.
After reading an article on the Rugby Pass website highlighting Woodward’s comments, he tweeted him directly, saying: “Change the record Sir Clive – you should be grateful you can ‘milk the cow’ for another 3 years.”
#2. Israel Folau
Over 1,000 days since Folau last played a professional match of rugby union, Marler’s old Twitter sparring partner made his return to the sport over the weekend.
The loose-head prop takes any chance he can to call out the former Wallabies fullback, who could soon represent Tonga, for his homophobic views.
In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.
Marler later named Folau in his dream team in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, “On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I’d take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster… a couple of clubs.”