Traitors star fears 'broadcasters will avoid me like the plague' and issues threat

Joe Marler has revealed his ambition to team up with England's former boss Eddie Jones, whom he fondly calls The Beaver, in the rugby commentary booth.

Jones had previously described Marler as an "influential" figure during his England tenure and stood by him when facing criticism from former England chief Sir Clive Woodward.

Yet the current BBC Celebrity Traitors star, who brands the programme as "the most bonkers experiences I've ever done", reckoned it was an improbable partnership as he threatens to butt heads with the former England boss.

Marler told Wales Online: "I'd love to go head-to-head with The Beaver. He's quite a character, I'd get on really well with him but I'd love to go head-to-head. But I've got a funny feeling that any live broadcasters will probably avoid me like the plague."

Marler, the 35 year old front-row forward who has called time on his international career twice, might be poised for yet another return.

Despite stepping away in November 2024 following a 15-year journey, Marler has found himself yearning for the squad environment and the excitement of match day.

The seasoned campaigner collected 95 caps for England, with his final outing coming against the All Blacks in July of the previous year.

When quizzed about a possible England comeback, Marler said: "You never say never.

"I miss the day-to-day, the day-to-day camaraderie, the buzz of a game day. I do miss it a lot."

Presently working as a player welfare manager with England, Marler is enthusiastic about the forthcoming Autumn Internationals. Speaking at the National Final of the Pro Am Padel Tour 2025 at Padium Canary Wharf, London, where he revealed his newfound love for the racquet sport during the 2023 World Cup in France, he said: "I'm excited.

"I'm excited for them. They're a young team. They've got rid of a lot of the old farts in the last couple of years, of which I'm one of them.

"And this new breed coming through, the sort of style that they're now trying to play, mix that with the way the England boys went on the Lions tour to come back and have that experience into the team. It'll be great. I'm excited.

"I think they've got a good shot at competing hard in that Six Nations, but let's see how the autumn international games go first."

The rugby legend jokingly admitted his priorities during the autumn would centre solely on England, rather than supporting the other home nations.

"I'm not really bothered and I will still continue to have that view of I only really care about the English boys and that will push the narrative of the arrogant English man that I am," he quipped.

"Of course I want all the home nations to thrive, I do. If all the home nations beat all the southern hemisphere teams, I'm on board with that and hopefully that arrogant Englishman tag will reduce slightly."

In the midst of the "absolute carnage" that is currently plaguing rugby, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) proposing to cut the number of regions from four to two to improve finances and performance, he suggested it might be time for Wales to bring back former Harlequins prop Adam Jones, 44.

"They're getting some new coaches in. I'd love to see him get Adam Jones on board as well," he said.

"I think he was an iconic player, he's still an icon for Wales and he would be a big driving force to get involved so I'd love to see Wales pick him up and then move forward."