Joe Marler, former England prop, has admitted he 'winged it' throughout his 17-year rugby career and wishes he had enjoyed his England tenure more rather than worrying about factors beyond his control. Speaking in an interview, Marler reflected on his approach to the sport, his role as a 'disrupter', and his recent stint on The Celebrity Traitors.
Marler on his rugby career: 'I hit my ceiling'
Marler, who earned 95 caps for England, described his playing style as 'world-class at making other people bad at it'. He said: 'I was half-decent at what I did, but I was world-class at making other people bad at it. It was a combination of being too lazy to get any better and knowing my limit.' He contrasted his approach with that of players like Owen Farrell, who 'loved the sport, did everything and it became his life'. Marler added: 'I was more interested in having fun and enjoying myself. I hit my ceiling and went: “Well, I’m not really gonna get much better than this.”'
Reflections on The Celebrity Traitors
On The Celebrity Traitors, Marler nearly won the show, attributing his success to a low profile and strategic gameplay. 'I had an advantage in that most of them didn’t know who I was, so they semi-forgot I was there,' he said. He recalled a memorable conversation between singer Cat Burns and actor Stephen Fry about LGBTQ slang and role-play names, calling it 'a brilliant collision of different cultures and worlds'. Marler identified himself as 'a bear', a term he learned during the chat.
Player welfare concerns for modern rugby players
Marler expressed concern for the current generation of players, who face a gruelling schedule with limited rest. He noted that in some seasons he played 33-35 games, but modern players have even fewer breaks. 'I feel really sorry for the new generation,' he said. He criticised the new Nations Championship, which requires England to play three games in three continents: 'This team has to fly to South Africa, play a Test match at altitude, come home, spend the week in Liverpool and play Fiji at Everton, then fly over to Argentina. What?!' He described the schedule as 'a work in progress' and emphasised the need for better rest and travel arrangements.
Encouraging players to prioritise wellbeing
Marler, now a performance director for Team England Rugby, encourages players to take breaks when needed. He recalled stepping down from England duty in 2016 and 2018 due to burnout. 'It takes a bit of courage to go: “Actually, I need to have a break,”' he said. He advised players that if a coach dismisses their need for rest, 'I wouldn’t want to work under him anyway.' Marler stressed the importance of fighting for player welfare, saying 'that’s why they need people fighting their battles for them.'
Marler on fame and family
Marler acknowledged his increased public profile since retirement but noted the challenges of balancing fame with family time. He recounted a moment at Camp Bestival when his eldest daughter, Maggie, asked: 'Do you think today, maybe we could just have you, rather than you stopping every five minutes, say yes to a photo.' Marler admitted he had 'got caught up in it all and forgotten she’s there behind me'. He also discussed his involvement in Jacamo’s 'Get the nod' campaign, which encourages men to compliment each other, calling it 'important' for men’s mental health.
