Rugby: Joe Marler gets off with an initial two-week ban after insulting opponent’s mother

Joe Marler had a lucky escape and his Six Nations hopes are still alive after initially being banned for just two weeks in his latest encounter with controversy.

Harlequins and England support Marler sparked an uproar in his side’s defeat by Bristol on December 27 when he insulted Bears forward Jake Heenan’s mother.

Heenan – whose mother is hospitalized – reacted immediately, leading to the two teams coming together in a mini-brawl.

Harlequins and England propsman Joe Marler (above) was lucky after receiving just an initial two-week ban for insulting Bristol Bears forward Jake Heenan’s hospitalized mother

Marler’s comments sparked a brawl between the Quins and Bears during their Dec. 27 clash

Marler described his comments to Heenan as “poor as hell” – but his recent run-in with controversy has only penalized him with a fortnightly ban, meaning his Six Nations hopes are still alive

Marler accepted charges of conduct harmful to rugby against him at an RFU disciplinary hearing on Friday night.

It was decided that he should be suspended for a total of six weeks, however with four weeks suspended until the end of the next season.

RFU Panel Chairman Gareth Graham said: “The player accepted that his behavior was detrimental to the interests of the game.

“As has been said by previous rugby disciplinary bodies, the core values ​​of rugby are not empty words or slogans to be signed and then ignored.

“They are not to be treated as useful additions dreamed up by a marketing team. They are an integral part of the game and make the game special.

“The player’s abusive and abusive comments were totally inappropriate. Such comments should not be part of the modern game.’

Marler apologized to Heenan both online and in person for his comments, which he described as “p*** poor” on Twitter.

Given Marler’s poor disciplinary record, it’s surprising that he got away with an initial suspension of just a fortnight.

This means he can be part of the England squad for the 2023 Six Nations should be chosen by new head coach Steve Borthwick.

In 2016, Marler, 32, called Welsh property master Samson Lee “gypsy boy”.

In 2020 he was banned for 10 weeks for grabbing another Welsh player, Alun Wyn Jones, by the testicles.

His poor record was taken into account by the RFU, which also knew of Marler’s apology to Heenan and his remorse for his actions.

The RFU added in a statement: “In all the circumstances of the case, the panel concluded that a six-week suspension was proportionate, but that it was also appropriate to suspend part of this sanction.

“The panel determined that an immediate two-week suspension should be imposed and that the remaining four-week suspension should be suspended until the end of the 2023/24 season (and can be activated should the player commit a similar offence).

“The panel asks the player to make a presentation on the core values ​​of the game to a local club or school and Premiership academy.”