What did Joe Marler say?
ENGLAND prop Joe Marler has been banned for six weeks for comments made during Harlequins’ defeat to Bristol on Tuesday.
The comments were aimed at Bears flanker Jake Heenan.
It is not the first time Marler has been in hot water for acts on the rugby pitch either.
An RFU disciplinary hearing on Friday banned the 32-year-old will serve a six-week ban, with four of them suspended.
And he has publicly apologised to New Zealander Heenan, 30.
What did Joe Marler say?
Joe Marler told Heenan his mother is a “w***” as the players were getting set for a scrum during the Harlequins game against the Bears.
The comment was aimed at Heenan, whose mother is currently in hospital.
It clearly riled the Kiwi, understandably so, and it quickly started a brawl between the two sets of players.
Heenan could then be heard saying to referee Karl Dickson: “Karl, Karl, my mum is in hospital.”
After footage of Marler’s remarks emerged, there was widespread condemnation in the rugby union world.
Marler apologised to Heenan on Twitter, saying: “I’m sorry @HeenanJake – p*ss poor from me. Owe you a pint/coffee in the new year.”
It is understood he has also apologised to Heenan directly.
Has Joe Marler been in trouble before?
Yes, he got into trouble in 2016 for calling Wales forward Samson Lee an ethnically derogatory name during England’s Six Nations clash against the Welsh.
In March 2020, he got a 10-week ban for grabbing Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones by the genitals during a fracas of the Red Rose’s game at Twickenham.