Rugby world shocked as Joe Marler inexplicably squirrel-grips Wales captain

it is Sexual Assault.. 12 months suspension..nothing less.

Do that anywhere outside a workplace and you are likely to be set on your arse.

Yeah, at least allow the player to hand out a couple of snot slaps.

Will have to ask AWJ if he was stirred by the action to the "head"

I doubt you are the sort of person anyone is going to give a friendly tap on the todger to, on the street or otherwise. So you don't need to worry about that.

Dear oh dear gladdies, tasteless as this was AWJ was never at risk of losing his crown jewels. Not clear if Marler even grabbed them. Talk of fines, life bans (perhaps life imprisonment) whatever is over the top in my view. In saying that my view is that Marler is a thug, always has been a thug and most likely always will be a thug.

Is the word stiff appropriate here Rusty?

Sexual assault? Call the police. Marler wasn't looking at what he was doing, clearly accidental!!

Hardly grabbed him though, more like a caress. Curiously Marler was smiling and looking away at the time, perhaps checking to see if he was being watched. Stupid ploy aimed possibly at getting AWJ to react and carded. Given Marler's history this was probably one of his more 'refined' actions?

Marler has been cited - along with Lawes and Tuiagi. Meeting is on Thursday No way he can get off this as the law is written Just about the severity of the penalty now Marler seems to be the kind of player the law makers are happy to make an example of - looks like cactus

Can’t be more friendly really ; Joe was just having fun. Alun did have his elbow on Joes throat, no harm done there either. “ Carry your bag Sir “ ? Was an old army joke we had. Still do it at 75. Far better than a handshake and more friendly than touching knuckles.

Alun was too busy with his elbow in Joes goiter. Nothing wrong , just a bit of fun.

I likewise never saw live footage of that incident nor was privy to the hearings to know the specifics, though in Robson's case he did admit guilt. Marlers track record coupled with his tweet of "Bollocks. Complete bollocks." about the situation speaks of an individual who either thinks he beyond reprimand or doesn't see what he has done as wrong. Either way he is need of an education in what is acceptable. As to consistency of sanctions and what is an appropriate penalty well that is another discussion. I whole heartedly agree that there are some issues in the application of the laws and the resultant consequences at times. The sad thing is that Marler has taken what should have been positive news for England Rugby and placed the spotlight his behaviour. I'm just sure that's what RFU/World Rugby wanted after all the other issues with cheating (Saracens), ongoing concussion concerns etc... just the good news story they needed I'm sure.

Last test then.

Yeah, but again...go and touch private parts of someone on the main street of town and see what punishment comes your way. Sport fields cannot be completely lawless.

At a Randwick match?

This is the same Joe who would try to get red carded so he didn’t have to play? Just ban him and everyone will be happy.

That or become President :silly:

I don't disagree there needs to be consequences. I only shared my experience to shine a light that this is at the low end of infringement when it comes to inappropriate touching. My only question is about how long the suspension should be. I've seen a season, four years and life bandied about. I think those would be excessive - I even think in this case the 12 week minimum is excessive but if that is the mark then fair enough. Not sure why George Robson of London Irish only got 6 weeks in 2016 (note I haven't seen his incident, only read that he got this for grabbing a testicle)

Jez, I think spruce moose answered this fairly clearly. I’m sorry that you have had to endure all the transgression you have, but by both the rules of the game and the laws of the land (England in the case of this game) such an action is just not ok. The fact that various transgressions occur does not constitute us allowing those that we clearly see to pass. That is even aside of the fact of what message or image it presents to the general public, mums deciding if they wish their sons to participate in the sport and what younger players think is ok. I know there is a general vibe of boys being boys, what a larrikin, but this is the slippery slope of what we deem acceptable behaviour in civil society. This is an international game telecast across the world, I think the standard needs to be high. As to what the consequences should be, I will leave that up to others. I’m not asking him to be drawn and quartered, but he is an individual with a track record who needs to experience repercussions for what is unacceptable behaviour and some people need to shake some old school thinking if they think otherwise. As spruce said, 12 weeks is probably a pretty light consequence all things considered.