Latest news with #JoeMarler
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joe Marler was a self-confessed 's***house' during his rugby heyday, now he could be using the dark arts in hit TV show The Traitors as he reveals his first summer plans post-retirement
The rugby world flocks to Australia this summer for the Lions tour, Joe Marler has decided to tread a different path. There are corporate gigs available on every corner Down Under over the next few weeks but Marler won't be on the gravy train. In his first off-season since retiring, he will be bashing his way around padel courts, holidaying with his family in Italy and getting familiar with a mansion where turncoats and murderers lurk in the shadows.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Young England star Fin Baxter backs old-school approach to land him bigger role
The prop burst onto the scene with Harlequins last season, a standout performance in place of the absent Joe Marler in a win away to Bordeaux-Bègles serving as a warning shot of just how good he could be Fin Baxter is still only 23 but his approach to rugby remains very much in the old school. The prop burst onto the scene with Harlequins last season, a standout performance in place of the absent Joe Marler in a win away to Bordeaux-Bègles serving as a warning shot of just how good he could be. That led to a first England call-up for last summer's tour of New Zealand, and he has been a firm fixture in Steve Borthwick's plans ever since. With first choice loosehead Ellis Genge away with the Lions in Australia this summer, Baxter now has the chance to take on an even bigger role for England. And while the modern game might be asking more of props with ball in hand, Baxter believes that is the nuts and bolts that will determine how far he goes in the game. He said: 'I want to keep showing that I'm a key part (of the England team). I've got a real point of difference, my set-piece is hopefully that difference, and the stuff I bring around the park in my carrying and tackling, is going to hopefully overshadow that aggressive stereotype that Argentina brings. 'Props nowadays, I think, are too quick to want to be the modern prop. That label has been thrown around so much whereas for me, you have to scrum, you have to maul, you have to be very good at that first, to then be able to do the rest of it. At the end of the day, you are picked on your scrummaging and the rest of it makes you a brilliant player. That is something I wanted not to miss. 'Coming through at Harlequins, I would think 'what's stopping me? What's not getting me picked?' and it was scrummaging. It's an easy answer. If you've got that ticked, you can bring the rest of your skills.' Baxter's emergence with England coincided with a string of narrow defeats, finding himself on the losing side in his first five caps. None of that was Baxter's responsibility, but he made a match-winning cameo against eventual Six Nations champions France in February at the Allianz Stadium, scoring a try in a dramatic 26-25 victory. He describes that game as 'mega' and has relished the upturn in results since as England finished their campaign with four straight victories on their way to second – their best result in the tournament for five years. He added: 'With England, it was a tough start results-wise. Come the Six Nations, to get the results like that and perform was brilliant. We beat Japan but before that, I'd not won a game for England, so to go from that to finishing off with four games not losing, it was nice to be on both sides of that. 'Being new into a team, you are not quite sure what is off, what's changed, what is different, because it's your first experience. I did say to myself 'don't let this taint the start of my career', I had good times in those games, it's not just the result, I was enjoying myself, camp was fun, and the boys were playing well. It was nice to get the balance.' The challenge now is to kick on against the Pumas, renowned for their powerful pack, particularly on home soil. But for a player who has seized every opportunity that has come this way, Baxter is desperate to do it again and show that old-school skills still have their place in the modern game. Make sure to cheer on the England Men's XV against a France XV on Saturday 21st June at Allianz Stadium so together, we raise the roof. Tickets from £25, please visit
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marler explains love for padel in rugby retirement
Joe Marler says padel has been the "perfect sport" for him since retiring from rugby [Robin Grey / BBC] Former England rugby union star Joe Marler has described his new found love for the racket sport padel since retiring last year. After calling time on his playing career in November 2024, the former Harlequins prop said he picked it up during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Advertisement Marler, from Heathfield in East Sussex, claimed he was "no good" at it but wanted to "spread the padel gospel" in retirement. Speaking during a celebrity tournament, he said: "There's that one point, that one rally that you get and you feel good at it. I chase that moment." He said: "People think I'm really good, they book me to spread the Padel gospel, then they realise I'm not good at it!" Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, thanks to its basic skill level and social nature. Marler said: "It's going crazy, everyone and everywhere is padel mad. It's great for me!" Advertisement He now takes part in the Pro Am Padel Tour, a tournament which sees celebrities and professional padel players team together. His team, including former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, came up against others including comedian Jason Manford, with the tour also featuring players like Great Britain number one padel player Aimee Gibson. The Traitors Team Manford emerged victorious and secured a £10,000 contribution to the Captain's Fund, a new charitable initiative where each captain selects a charity to support. Manford added: "Joe is good actually, for a big man he's got some delicate shots, he's a good laugh. I'm sure he's storming around now we've beaten him." Advertisement As England Rugby's player welfare manager, Marler said his life has not slowed down since finishing his playing career. "It doesn't feel like retirement, I'm so busy. I'm trying my hand at several things and hoping something sticks," he said. He has also been announced as part of the line-up for the celebrity version of hit BBC One show The Traitors, which airs this autumn. Marler will appear alongside the likes of comedians Stephen Fry and Alan Carr, chat show host Jonathan Ross and Olympic diver Tom Daley. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ex-England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler joins Pro Am Padel Tour
Former England rugby union star Joe Marler has described his new found love for the racket sport padel since retiring last calling time on his playing career in November 2024, the former Harlequins prop said he picked it up during the 2023 Rugby World from Heathfield in East Sussex, claimed he was "no good" at it but wanted to "spread the padel gospel" in during a celebrity tournament, he said: "There's that one point, that one rally that you get and you feel good at it. I chase that moment." He said: "People think I'm really good, they book me to spread the Padel gospel, then they realise I'm not good at it!"Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, thanks to its basic skill level and social said: "It's going crazy, everyone and everywhere is padel mad. It's great for me!"He now takes part in the Pro Am Padel Tour, a tournament which sees celebrities and professional padel players team team, including former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, came up against others including comedian Jason Manford, with the tour also featuring players like Great Britain number one padel player Aimee Gibson. The Traitors Team Manford emerged victorious and secured a £10,000 contribution to the Captain's Fund, a new charitable initiative where each captain selects a charity to added: "Joe is good actually, for a big man he's got some delicate shots, he's a good laugh. I'm sure he's storming around now we've beaten him."As England Rugby's player welfare manager, Marler said his life has not slowed down since finishing his playing career."It doesn't feel like retirement, I'm so busy. I'm trying my hand at several things and hoping something sticks," he has also been announced as part of the line-up for the celebrity version of hit BBC One show The Traitors, which airs this will appear alongside the likes of comedians Stephen Fry and Alan Carr, chat show host Jonathan Ross and Olympic diver Tom Daley.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New tennis facility to open with special guest
A new sports facility is set to open its doors to the public. Padel Project UK (PPUK), a leading padel tennis operator, has announced the launch of a four-court outdoor padel complex at Worthing Rugby Football Club in Angmering. The launch event will take place on June 6 from 5pm to 8.30pm. Adam Holman, club manager at PPUK Worthing, said: "I'm thrilled to be launching the PPUK Worthing club and look forward to welcoming everyone to our launch day on June 6. "I can't wait to help players of every age and ability step on court and discover just how much fun padel is, and just how easy it is to pick up." The new venue has four floodlit panoramic courts and on-site racket hire. The facility is designed for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced players. Former England rugby player and Worthing RFC alumnus Joe Marler will cut the ribbon at 6pm. He will be joined by PPUK chief executive Tim Foster and club manager Adam Holman for a short welcome. The event will have an exhibition match with PPUK's professional coaching team, introductory sessions, coached games with prizes, music, refreshments and tours of the new courts. Drinks will also be available from the bar. C oaching sessions cost £5 and can be reserved through the Playtomic app. Mr Foster said: "We are incredibly excited to bring this state-of-the-art padel facility to Worthing. "Our goal is to build a fun, inclusive and active padel community here. "This club is another step toward making padel a mainstream sport across the UK, and we can't wait to see the Worthing community embrace the game." Following the launch, PPUK will offer discounted introductory sessions for a limited time. Membership at the Worthing club is free. Residents can join the WhatsApp community via to receive news, offers and session details. Barny Hall, chairman of Worthing RFC, said: "We're delighted to add padel to our offering and give our members and the wider Worthing community something new to enjoy. "Rugby and padel share the same spirit of camaraderie, so seeing the two worlds cross over on our grounds is fantastic."
