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Harlequins issue statement on length of Marler 'season-ending' ban
By Online Editors
Harlequins have outlined their disappointment with the ten-week ban that has effectively ended Joe Marler’s domestic season with the club.
The London club’s loosehead was banned by a Six Nations independent disciplinary committee on Thursday until Monday, June 8, two days after Quins play their final match of the regulation Gallagher Premiership season away at Leicester on June 6.
Joe Marler "nothing more than an egotistical narcissist" - ex-Wales skipper blasts England prop
Unless Marler appeals and successfully gets his suspension reduced or seventh-place Quins manage to finish in the top four and qualify for the league semi-finals, he will not appear again this season for Paul Gustard's side.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Premiership club said: “Harlequins notes the disciplinary decision regarding Joe Marler.
"Whilst not in any way condoning Joe's actions last Saturday we are disappointed at the level of sanction applied, particularly when compared to other disciplinary decisions announced this week.
“The club will be making no further comment on the situation and is fully focused on this weekend’s Premiership Rugby Cup final against Sale Sharks.”
Marler was found guilty of foul play under law 9.27 (acts against the spirit of good sportsmanship) when he touched the genitals of Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones in the first half of last Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham.
The England prop was not penalised during the game for the incident and Harlequins’ frustration is that their player’s subsequent ten-week suspension appeared very heavy compared to the four-week ban issued to England’s Manu Tuilagi for his bad tackle red card versus Wales and the three-week ban handed out to red-carded France prop Mohamed Haouas for punching.
Marler had accepted at the hearing that he had committed an act of foul play, albeit that he did not accept that he had grabbed, twisted or squeezed the genitals of the Welsh player and he did not accept that it warranted a red card.
However, the disciplinary committee, which comprised David Hurley (Ireland), Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa), concluded otherwise.
WATCH: The Rugby Pod reflects on all the week's rugby, including the Joe Marler incident
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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