"Not a fan" - Joe Marler set to reignite rivalry with Israel Folau at Twickenham
Rugby NewsThursday, 04 May 2023 at 21:02
Israel Folau, the former Australian rugby star who was dismissed by Rugby Australia in 2019 due to a "high-level" breach of their code of conduct, is set to join Steve Hansen's World XV in a match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, 28 May.
Despite being embroiled in a lengthy dispute with his former employers over a series of anti-gay social media posts, Folau has since played for Catalans Dragons in rugby league and club rugby union in Japan, and has also switched his international allegiance to Tonga.
He made his Tongan debut in 2022 under World Rugby's new eligibility rules.
Folau will join the likes of Charles Piutau, Ngani Laumape, Marika Koroibete, and Semi Radradra in the World XV backline, while also facing off against Barbarians player Joe Marler, who previously trolled Folau during his controversy.
“Me and him just don’t get on” – Joe Marler reveals why he didn’t like former teammate
Joe Marler, the England prop, is known for expressing his views boldly, particularly when it comes to someone he doesn't have much affinity for.
#1. Marland Yarde
The winger dramatically left Harlequins in 2017 to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks in an unusual mid-season move.
I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months,” Marler told former internationals Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton on The Rugby Pod.
“I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it
“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him. I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.
“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”
#2. Israel Folau
Over 1,000 days since Folau last played a professional match of rugby union, Marler's old Twitter sparring partner made his return to the sport over the weekend.
The loose-head prop takes any chance he can to call out the former Wallabies fullback, who could soon represent Tonga, for his homophobic views.
In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.
Marler later named Folau in his dream team in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, "On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I'd take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster... a couple of clubs."
#3. Sir Clive Woodward
Woodward tore apart Eddie Jones' side during a webinar, slamming Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their behaviour in a press conference prior to the loss against South Africa back in November.
This wasn't the first time the 2003 World Cup-winning coach called out the prop.
After reading an article on the Rugby Pass website highlighting Woodward's comments, he tweeted him directly, saying: "Change the record Sir Clive - you should be grateful you can 'milk the cow' for another 3 years."
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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