**Joe Marler Reflects on Regrettable Attitude During 2017 Lions Tour**
Joe Marler, the former England and British and Irish Lions prop, has spoken candidly about his conduct during the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand, admitting to what he called “bulls*** behaviour” towards fellow call-ups—a confession that has offered a rare glimpse into the team’s internal challenges during that controversial summer.
During that year’s tour, head coach Warren Gatland made the now-infamous decision to bring in a group of players dubbed ‘The Geography Six’ midway through the series. The call-ups, which included Scotland’s Finn Russell and Allan Dell alongside Welsh internationals Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, and Gareth Davies, were made primarily to bolster the squad for midweek fixtures. Many at the time saw these selections as a logistical decision, given the players’ proximity in Australia and New Zealand, rather than a reflection of form or merit.
The move drew scrutiny from outside observers and, it seems, from within the Lions camp itself. Marler, who has since retired from professional rugby, admitted in a podcast interview that he was among those within the squad who felt aggrieved by the choices, particularly as some England teammates on duty in Argentina were overlooked.
Reflecting on his actions in conversation with England compatriot Dan Cole, Marler described how frustration got the better of him. “The murmurs throughout the majority of the squad were like, ‘What the f***, guys?’” he recalled, expressing regret for the cold shoulder he gave the new arrivals. “I look back on it and I regret the way I behaved towards the six players for the majority of the time.”
For Marler, the issue seemed to come down to a misplaced resentment, as if the late call-ups were personally responsible for the controversial selection. “For some reason, I just went full resentment towards them as if it was their fault that they’d been called up. Or that when they got the call, they should have said they don’t fancy it,” he explained. Looking back, he labelled this attitude as “f***ing bulls***”, and singled out an incident during a midweek game against the Hurricanes when he even refused to be substituted off the pitch—a rare act of defiance in rugby, a sport typically governed by discipline and respect for the coaching team’s authority.
Marler’s introspection stands in sharp contrast to the unity and positive atmosphere reported from the current British and Irish Lions campaign in Australia. While 2017 ended with a dramatic drawn series—an outcome not seen in over six decades—the internal disquiet clearly left its mark on some of the tournament’s squad members.
Alongside examining his own behaviour, Marler also commented on his interactions with Lions head coach Warren Gatland. Known for his straight-talking style, Marler jokingly noted he never got close enough to “blow smoke up his a***”, adding that he found the Kiwi mentor “an awkward character”. This, Marler said, was revealing, considering his tendency to surround himself with similarly unconventional personalities.
He also aired doubts about Gatland’s approach towards squad management and selection. “My experience was that I felt the Test team had already been picked, and it was going to be pretty hard to change a lot about that,” Marler pointed out. He spoke of confusion around a particular scrummaging drill, suggesting it was difficult to distinguish whether Gatland was testing them or simply poking fun at those not in contention for Test selection.
Despite making five appearances for the Lions that summer, Marler did not feature in any of the coveted Test matches. His retrospective honesty and public recognition of mistakes have elicited respect from fans and pundits alike, offering a nuanced perspective on the pressures and internal politics that can exist behind the scenes of elite international rugby.
Marler’s openness also serves as a reminder that high-profile teams are not insulated from tension and emotional strain, particularly in the midst of contentious or unexpected selection decisions. As he himself acknowledged, behaving with empathy and unity, rather than division, is imperative for teams intent on writing their own historic chapters for the right reasons.
With the current Lions tour in Australia reportedly progressing in a more harmonious fashion, Marler’s reflections provide a valuable insight as the rugby world continues to examine what it takes to turn a disparate squad of rivals into a singular, cohesive team.