Watch: The awkward 'this is just a fraud' Joe Marler TV interview

Joe Marler was mischievously awkward in his post-match live TV interview on Friday night after he was awarded player of the match in Harlequins’ 19-13 Gallagher Premiership win over Bath. The out-of-favour England loosehead impressed at The Rec, making 14 carries and looking powerful in the scrum, and his resulting two minutes and 54 seconds interview with Sarra Elgan of BT Sport was pure gold.

Marler called Bath obscene for kicking at the posts in their recent match against the Barbarians, reacted awkwardly to a query about tight jerseys, and then described Harlequins hooker Jack Walker as the king of Bath, adding that he was only given man of the match because he would definitely talk in the post-game interview unlike some of his colleagues.

He then got the interviewer’s name wrong, made mention of Saracens, and then queried Harlequins’ having their European away game next weekend… in South Africa.

The Harlequins interview was the latest high jinx from Marler, who had been in his element during November. He played for the Barbarians in their win over the All Blacks XV before swapping sides four days later and converting his own try with a drop kick against the Baa-Baas at The Stoop.

Unwanted by England in their recent four-game Autumn Nations Series, Friday night was Marler’s eighth start at loosehead in the nine-game league season so far completed by Harlequins. Here is how the TV interview unfolded:

Sarra Elgan: You must be satisfied after that.

Joe Marler: Sort of satisfied, I’m satisfied we have actually won it considering we did everything in our power to not win it in the second half.

Elgan: First half was good, though, some quick ball?

Marler: Yeah, it was alright. We knew they had won three on the bounce before this one except for the Baa-Baas, but we don’t really count that because they were kicking for poles in that game which was obscene actually.

Elgan: We do count the drop goal by you, right?

Marler: Thank you… So they are a tough outfit, they are building nicely, they have got some good coaches and we were desperate for that win and I am glad we got it.

Elgan: I feel like we always big-up Quins’ attacking flair but we never give you guys the glory up front. The scrummaging was good tonight, especially in those tight jerseys you have been complaining about all week.

Marler: I haven’t been complaining about them. I was asked a question and I gave my answer. I don’t complain about them. I don’t know what this is.

Elgan: The scrums were good tonight anyway?

Marler: The scrums were very good. Wilco Louw is a very, very good tighthead and Jack Walker coming back, the king of Bath as he calls himself, coming back to Bath. He did a real good job tonight and I feel actually a bit this is definitely a token thing, you lot.

Elgan: Why is it token?

Marler: I know your secrets.

Elgan: What’s the secret?

Marler: Because there were other players that were better tonight but they are not happy to talk on camera, so this is just a fraud basically.

Elgan: Okay, I am going to disagree.

Marler: Why is it Sarra and not Sarah?

Elgan: Because Sarra is my name.

Marler: Oh.

Elgan: Listen can we talk about rugby, please? Fourteen carries and it was a good scrum. That is why you have got the player of the match award. Anyway, third halfway through the season.

Marler: That’s not bad, we’re doing alright but we want to kind of chase Sarries down. We’d quite like to aim for that top two. It’s not good enough to be top four. We’d quite like a home semi, we want that semi.

Elgan: Can we talk about Europe next week quickly? Sharks away and then Racing.

Marler: It’s Europe and we’re going to Natal Sharks next week which is where?

Elgan: In South Africa.

Marler: South Africa.

Elgan: Are we done here now, Joe Marler?

Marler: I’m really looking forward to going to South Africa. We are going to go to LIV Village which is an incredible orphanage out there and I am really excited to go out there and meet some lovely people.

Elgan: All the very best next weekend. Always a pleasure.

Marler: Cheers.

Strap yourselves in, it's interview time with @JoeMarler! ?

Don't bother reading this Tweet, just enjoy the following two minutes and 54 seconds…

? @Sarraelgan #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/7NArjZqS6D

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 2, 2022