“Right questions at the right time” – Wayne Barnes named the toughest rugby player to referee

Record-breaking rugby referee Wayne Barnes has ranked some of the trickier players he had to run the rule over down the years.

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Last week, he equalled the record set by Welsh icon Nigel Owens, who racked up a century of Tests when he took control of France v Italy in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.

Today, Barnes refereed France v South Africa on Saturday, November 12th. This meant he will broke Owens’ record and become the world’s most-capped referee.

#5. Joe Marler (England)

BARNES SAID: ” “He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You’d be trying to tell him something serious and he’d just want to have a laugh and a joke.

“But he does bring a smile to your face. That is what is unique about our sport, the interaction between players and refs and refs and coaches. It does show our sport off in a good light.”

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Joe Marler facts: 

1. Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
2. After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
3. 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.”
4. Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009
5. He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce

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