During the Champions Cup last-16 match in Cape Town, Harlequins prop Joe Marler provoked anger from DHL Stormers veteran Deon Fourie by grabbing him in a delicate area.
Marler is known for pushing boundaries on the field and this incident was no exception, contributing to Harlequins’ loss to the Stormers in the playoffs.
The incident was discussed on SuperSport’s Final Whistle panel show by Swys de Bruin. Despite the attention it received, Marler has not been cited for the incident, as the window for doing so has passed.
This is not the first time Marler has made headlines for controversial behavior, as he received a 10-week ban in 2020 for grabbing the testicles of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones during a Six Nations game.
“We never got on” – Joe Marler on three rugby stars he can’t stand
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. 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.”