England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has blasted Premiership Rugby for what many believe is a ridiculous schedule.
Premiership Rugby insist that they are protecting "the integrity of the competition", when explaining why clubs will play nine games in seven weeks.
However, English clubs previously refused to countenance playing just one midweek round of matches to enable the Lions to have an extra week’s preparation for the tours of Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017 and have been critical of the impact of the Lions playing twice a week on player welfare.
Marler, who has suffered a knee injury during the restart, is the latest to call out these double-standard, tweeting: "9 games in 7 weeks......... what a bloody fantastic idea that was."
The 2020 Premiership final has been arranged for 24 October, with England's rearranged Six Nations fixture with Italy planned for the weekend after, before a further block of internationals in November.
No rest anytime soon for Marler. Here are how fans reacted to his tweet:
7 things you didn’t know about Joe Marler:
1. Starting out
Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees.
2. Not a one-club man?
After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
3. Lions scorer
Despite failing to cross the whitewash in his 66 caps since making his England debut in 2012, he did score in one of his two appearances for the British & Irish Lions during the 2017 tour to New Zealand.
4. Nickname
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.”
5. Captain fantastic
Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009.
6. Pet ducks
He is obviously a fan of Friends, except he added his own twist to it by choosing two ducks instead of having a chicken.
7. Partner
Marler is happily married to long-term partner Daisy, with whom he has three children. Jasper, 5, and Maggie, 3, were joined by another new born just before the World Cup commenced.
