Joe Marler’s most memorable moments

By Charlie Elliott

With rugby saying farewell to an absolute legend both on and off the field in Joe Marler, with the Harlequins prop retiring immediately after the Premiership game against Bristol Bears, it is only right to look at some of his most memorable moments. 

With some playing-related moments mixed with some truly iconic quotes, here are Marler’s most memorable moments in a rugby jersey. 

2016 Six Nations 

One of the best moments in Joe Marler’s international career was his part in helping England win the Grand Slam in 2016. 

Starting five out of six games, Marler was instrumental and his performances from prop set the tone for Eddie Jones’ side. 

The campaign was later tarnished by a fine and a two-game ban for him after he called Welsh player Samson Lee ‘Gypsy boy’.  

The duality of Joe is what many fans find endearing, and while he overstepped the mark on this occasion, it is all part of the circus that he brought onto the pitch every time he played. 

It is easy to remember him for funny moments and one-liners, but it needs to be acknowledged that he was a very good player, as shown by his success. 

The Alun Wyn Jones incident 

Another Six Nations related moment, but this time in 2020 where Marler went full Paul Gascoigne and grabbed the genitals of Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones. 

He got a 10-week ban for this incident, which was pretty hefty for a player of his quality and standing in the game. 

While some may not agree with his actions, it is again an example of him bringing life onto the field and being a beacon for controversy. 

2021 Premiership Final 

Harlequins defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in the final of the 2021 Premiership, and Marler put an absolute shift in, getting Player of the Match for his efforts. 

He made an immense tackle at 70 minutes, which summed up a great game that led to him winning his second-ever Premiership. 

In a world where backs are often credited with much of the work, while the forward players remain unsung heroes, for Marler to get a POTM on such a huge occasion shows just how well he played, and just how good he was in general. 

“You’re f***ing boring me” 

Now that it has been established just how good a player Joe was, it is only right to pull up some of his most hilarious quotes over the years. 

One of the most notorious was again against Exeter, where in 2019 he told Nic White “You’re f***ing boring me, hurry up” after his opponent took too long at the restart. 

Quotes like this show just how quick witted he was, and how he attempted to get under people’s skin at any opportunity.  

A perfect example of gamesmanship and humour rolled into one, which sums him up pretty well in general. 

Spraying water at James Haskell

Although both are now the best of friends, having been podcast hosts together for the past few years, there was a time when Joe Marler and James Haskell had some serious battles on the pitch. 

In 2017, despite being teammates and friends off the field, Marler sprayed water at Haskell and incited a rage-fueled reaction, resulting in him being throttled. 

The reaction of Haskell remains humourous, as he had to snitch on his friend to the referee in the manner of a whiny schoolboy. 

It has been the subject of some laughs and mick-taking on the podcast, and things like it show why Marler is considered by many as one of the biggest ‘housers’ in the game. 

“Clippity-clop to The Stoop” 

Possibly the most David Brent moment in the history of rugby, Marler spoke ahead of a Champions Cup tie with Bath, following a defeat to Clermont in the game before. 

In a truly bizarre interview, he is quoted as saying: 

“Hey horsey, do you want to have a drink or do you want to swim? 

“It is up to that horse to then realise what he wants to do in his life and that horse at the moment wants to go out on Saturday and he wants to clippety-clop all the way to the Stoop and say hello to those fans and he wants to say “I’m sorry about the result last week but I’m going to give a better performance here at home against Bath. 

“He is a slightly Irish horse. So we are looking forward to getting back on that horse.”