As the Nations Championship looms large over England's rugby squad, one name that continues to make waves is Joe Marler - the affable prop who's always been more about instinct than meticulous planning. The man himself describes it as 'winging it', a phrase that says it all about his 17-year career in the sport.
Marler's admission of being 'half-decent' on the pitch is a trademark understatement, but he's right - it was never just about how many tackles or scrums you could win. His real skill lay in making others look silly, something that has become an endearing trait of his personality. Take Owen Farrell, for instance - a dedicated professional who made rugby his life, whereas Marler took a more laid-back approach, always chasing the next thrill rather than perfection.
When asked about his recent stint on The Celebrity Traitors, Marler couldn't help but laugh at his own luck. By being relatively unknown to most contestants, he managed to coast for days without raising suspicion - and that's no easy feat. He credits a mix of dumbness and the ability to pretend to be dumber with getting him this far in the competition. The contrast between his sportsman's ethos and the endless 'chin-wagging' among other participants is clear.
One particularly memorable moment from behind the scenes involved a conversation between musician Cat Burns and actor Stephen Fry over lunch. They delved into some fascinating LGBTQ+ slang, including terms like 'dom femme' and 'pillow princesses', which left Marler feeling both educated and entertained. He jokingly suggested that this unique collision of cultures would make for an excellent spin-off show.
Marler's insight into team dynamics during his rugby career reveals a pattern where senior players often aligned on issues, only to delegate him - with his 'spiky and arsehole' nature making him the perfect candidate for confrontations. But as soon as he presented their collective concerns to management, he found himself isolated once again.
Source: No Helmets Required