Harlequins prop Joe Marler has finally revealed why he’s been wearing a different jersey to his teammates in the Gallagher Premiership this season.
“I have to buy my shirt from the club shop because I don’t like how tight the new professional shirts are,” Marler said. “I like the baggier style.
“We’ve moaned about it for years, mate! Like, why are the shirts getting tighter and tighter? And then I thought “F***! The ones in the shop actually are shirts that I would prefer to wear.
“So I just go in there. And I get a staff discount, and it costs me 48 quid, which I think is reasonable. It’s even on sale at the minute as well, so I think I could get it for £35 because of the Black Friday sale, even though it’s not Friday…
“The kitman f****** hates it though, because every time I take it to him, because he’s like ‘I’ve got to put the appropriate sponsors and the number and the name on the back and all that lot.’ And I’m like, sorry mate, I just prefer this shirt…
“But I look it as a way of giving back to the club, really, by buying my own shirt.”
Marler reveals all:
Joe Marler facts:
- Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
- After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
- He’s been nicknamed Croissant. In his own words, it’s because: “The boys think I have a nose that looks like a French pastry.”
- Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009
- He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce
Joe Marler Dream XV:
Marler’s cheeky selection features seven All Blacks legends in his team, with three from Ireland, two Welsh, two Australians and a Fijian nicknamed ‘The Bus’.
JOE MARLER: DREAM TEAM
FRONT-ROW
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
SECOND-ROW
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
