George Head’s stoppage-time try secured Harlequins a 26-24 win over London Irish in a tense Premiership encounter.
In game full of fury, there were two red cards with flanker Ben Donnell dismissed for a ‘horrifying’ hit on Joe Marler.
The London Irish flanker went in with a shoulder on the England props head.
One fan wrote on Twitter: “Not arguing whether it was a yellow or red card but surely Joe Marler should be off for a HIA if its deemed a red? Think this should be a rule”
“Hope Joe is okay. That was a very dirty hit from the Irish player,” said a second.
A third wrote: “I wonder what Marler said to p*** him off.”
The win sees Quins move up to third in the Premiership while Irish go up a place to 10th thanks to their losing bonus point.
Ben Donnell red card:
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)
