Joe Marler was ‘blacklisted’ after openly criticising England boss

Friday, 13 February 2026 at 07:57

bySteven Smith

Joe Marler had already shifted his post-rugby plans into top gear back in Autumn 2022.

He's become a regular face on celebrity game shows, popping up as a presenter on TalkSport and even appearing in a celebrity edition of

RuPaul’s Drag Race.

While still very much an England international, the Harlequins prop was quietly building a second career away from the pitch.

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Radio blast at Eddie Jones deepened rift

The growing media profile only added fuel to a strained relationship with then England boss Eddie Jones.

Tensions flared when Marler went on national radio and criticised Jones’ decision to replace 80-cap scrum-half Danny Care after just 36 minutes against the Wallabies, branding the move “lacking respect”.

The comments raised eyebrows and further distanced him from the England hierarchy.

“The end is nigh”

Despite being only 31 at the time, Marler admitted he was already contemplating the finish line — particularly if he fell out of favour internationally.

Speaking to The Times, he said:

“The end is nigh.

I would love to make it to the World Cup but that’s very much out of my hands. If there is a conversation with Eddie Jones saying I’m not in the plans for it, then I would accelerate life after rugby, shut up shop at Quins and walk away from it.”

He added:

“Can I manage to play another three or four years at this age? Probably not. But what do I want to do?”

Final chapter

Marler did return to the England fold following Jones’ sacking, but the curtain eventually came down in December 2024 when he retired from professional rugby for good — closing the book on a career that was never short of headlines.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Full Draw: England and Wales meet again

The expanded 24-team tournament will be played across Australia from 1 October 2027, with six pools of four teams and a new round-of-16 knockout phase. With fixtures and venues now confirmed by World Rugby, attention quickly turns to how each group will unfold.

Pool A — New Zealand, Australia (H), Chile, Hong Kong China

Group summary

Pool A features tournament hosts Australia and three-time champions New Zealand, making it one of the headline groups of the opening phase. Chile and Hong Kong China will be targeting historic results, while the trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand is expected to be one of the most watched pool matches of the tournament.

Fixtures

1 October 2027 — Australia vs Hong Kong China
Perth Stadium, Perth

2 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Chile
Perth Stadium, Perth

9 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Australia
Stadium Australia, Sydney

9 October 2027 — Chile vs Hong Kong China
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

15 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Hong Kong China
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

16 October 2027 — Australia vs Chile
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

Pool B — South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania

Group summary

Defending champions South Africa headline Pool B and begin their campaign against Italy. Georgia continue to establish themselves as a consistent World Cup presence, while Romania return aiming to challenge for third place and possible qualification via rankings.

Fixtures

3 October 2027 — South Africa vs Italy
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

3 October 2027 — Georgia vs Romania
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

10 October 2027 — South Africa vs Georgia
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

11 October 2027 — Italy vs Romania
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

17 October 2027 — Italy vs Georgia
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

17 October 2027 — South Africa vs Romania
Perth Stadium, Perth

Pool C — Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada

Group summary

Pool C blends South American consistency with Pacific flair. Argentina enter as favourites, while Fiji’s attacking threat makes them dangerous opponents for any side. Spain return to the World Cup looking to make an impact, and Canada continue their rebuilding process.

Fixtures

3 October 2027 — Argentina vs Canada
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

4 October 2027 — Fiji vs Spain
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

10 October 2027 — Fiji vs Canada
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

10 October 2027 — Argentina vs Spain
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

16 October 2027 — Argentina vs Fiji
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

17 October 2027 — Spain vs Canada
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Pool D — Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal

Group summary

Ireland and Scotland lead Pool D in what shapes as a tightly contested group. Uruguay and Portugal bring speed and tactical variety, with qualification likely to be decided by fine margins, discipline, and bonus points.

Fixtures

3 October 2027 — Scotland vs Uruguay
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

4 October 2027 — Ireland vs Portugal
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

10 October 2027 — Ireland vs Scotland
Perth Stadium, Perth

11 October 2027 — Uruguay vs Portugal
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

17 October 2027 — Ireland vs Uruguay
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

17 October 2027 — Scotland vs Portugal
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

Pool E — France, Japan, United States, Samoa

Group summary

France headline Pool E after reaching the previous final, with Japan expected to challenge strongly for second place. Samoa and the United States provide physicality and athleticism, making this one of the more unpredictable groups.

Fixtures

2 October 2027 — France vs United States
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

3 October 2027 — Japan vs Samoa
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

9 October 2027 — United States vs Samoa
Perth Stadium, Perth

9 October 2027 — France vs Japan
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

15 October 2027 — Japan vs United States
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

17 October 2027 — France vs Samoa
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Pool F — England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe

Group summary

Pool F is defined by the renewed rivalry between England and Wales, who will meet in one of the final pool fixtures in Sydney. Tonga’s physical style and Zimbabwe’s return to the World Cup add further intrigue, with third place potentially enough to reach the knockout stage depending on rankings.