“Last chance” – Joe Marler given final warning by England boss Steve Borthwick

Joe Marler was given a final warning over his conduct when he was recalled for England’s World Cup training squad by Steve Borthwick.

Borthwick has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch. 

The prop, who was omitted from the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins, following a number of controversial incidents.

Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.

In 2016, he received a two-week ban following the “gypsy boy” saga, involving Wales’ Samson Lee, which erupted out of the Six Nations game at Twickenham.

The same penalty was to follow a couple of months later after he was cited for kicking Grenoble hooker Arnaud Héguy while playing for Harlequins in the European Challenge Cup semi-final.

Marler was then banned for three weeks in October 2017 after striking Wasps and now Wales lock Will Rowlands with an elbow and for six weeks later that same season for a shoulder charge on Sale’s TJ Ioane.

And, of course, in 2020 he was suspended for ten weeeks for grabbing the genitals of Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones in the Six Nations encounter at Twickenham.

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A fans poll has ranked rugby union’s five biggest d***heads

No, Joe Marler doesn’t appear on this list.

We all love to hate. For every force of good there is in rugby union, there is an equal force of bad to provide balance. A yin to their yang. For every hero, a villain.

As much fun as it is to see the sport’s most treasured icons succeed, audiences can sometimes take equal pleasure in seeing a star plummet from the heavens and fall to the depths below.

We’ve ran a poll to discover who, whether it be for their antics on or off the pitch, have developed an unenviable reputation in the game.

Find out the top five below.

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#5. Tomas Lavanini (Argentina)

Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are that Lavinini managed to find his way into this list considering the stand-up player that he is (sarcastic).

Being serious, he is one of the most entertaining rugby players to watch because of his reckless and aggressive behaviour

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