Joe Marler, the England prop, has carved out a reputation for himself not only for his prowess on the rugby field but also for his frequent encounters with disciplinary actions.
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His career has been punctuated by suspensions, with nearly half a year spent off the pitch due to various infractions.
In 2016, Marler found himself embroiled in the infamous “gypsy boy” incident during a Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham. His derogatory remark aimed at Wales’ Samson Lee resulted in a two-week ban and sparked widespread debate and condemnation.
Just a few months later, Marler faced another suspension after being cited for kicking Grenoble hooker Arnaud Héguy during a European Challenge Cup semi-final while playing for Harlequins. This incident further tarnished his disciplinary record and raised questions about his on-field behavior.
The following year, Marler’s disciplinary woes continued as he was banned for three weeks for elbowing Wasps and Welsh lock Will Rowlands and later received a six-week suspension for a shoulder charge on Sale’s TJ Ioane. These repeated offenses highlighted a pattern of behavior that drew criticism from both fans and pundits alike.
In 2020, Marler made headlines once again when he was banned for grabbing the genitals of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones during a Six Nations match at Twickenham. The incident sparked outrage and led to further scrutiny of Marler’s conduct on the pitch.
After a period of relative quiet, Marler found himself back in the spotlight in 2023 due to another controversial incident. During a Premiership game, he directed offensive remarks at Bristol prop Jake Heenan, referring to his opponent’s sick mother in a derogatory manner. This latest transgression earned Marler a two-week ban, with an additional four weeks suspended, and drew sharp criticism from his own wife, who branded him a “moron.”
In response to the incident, Marler publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing, admitting that he had “f—– it all up again” and describing himself as a “bit of a helmet.”
Joe Marler includes Sir Clive Woodward and former teammate on his rugby sh**list
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 for his less than professional behaviour.
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.”