London Irish star red carded for horrifying hit on Joe Marler

Rugby News

by Rugby Rucker

Sunday, 30 October 2022 at 15:03

byRugby Rucker

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George Head's stoppage-time try secured Harlequins a 26-24 win over London Irish in a tense Premiership encounter.

In game full of fury, there were two red cards with flanker Ben Donnell dismissed for a 'horrifying' hit on Joe Marler.

The London Irish flanker went in with a shoulder on the England props head.

One fan wrote on Twitter: "Not arguing whether it was a yellow or red card but surely Joe Marler should be off for a HIA if its deemed a red? Think this should be a rule"

"Hope Joe is okay. That was a very dirty hit from the Irish player," said a second.

A third wrote: "I wonder what Marler said to p*** him off."

The win sees Quins move up to third in the Premiership while Irish go up a place to 10th thanks to their losing bonus point.

Ben Donnell red card:

Joe Marler facts:

Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
He's been nicknamed Croissant. In his own words, it's because: “The boys think I have a nose that looks like a French pastry.”
Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009
He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce

Joe Marler of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Joe Marler Dream XV:

Marler's cheeky selection features seven All Blacks legends in his team, with three from Ireland, two Welsh, two Australians and a Fijian nicknamed 'The Bus'.

JOE MARLER: DREAM TEAM

FRONT-ROW

1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)

SECOND-ROW

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

BACK-ROW

6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)

HALFBACKS

9. Will Genia (Australia)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)

CENTRES:

12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

BACK-THREE:

11. Siteveni Sivivatu (New Zealand)

14. Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
15. Israel Folau (Australia)

On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, "On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I'd take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster... a couple of clubs."