The England prop Joe Marler has been handed a formal warning following an obscene comment he made on social media about the former Australia coach Bob Dwyer.
Marler used Twitter to call Dwyer a wanker in response to his claim that Dan Cole scrummaged illegally during the first Test against the Wallabies. The tweet was quickly deleted but the Rugby Football Union has strict guidelines on the use of social media and has sanctioned Marler, a member of England’s elite player squad.
“How anyone could have allowed Dan Cole to scrummage the way he did was absolutely beyond me,” Dwyer had said after England’s 39-28 win in Brisbane. Marler responded to Dwyer on Twitter by saying: “Bob Dwyer is a wanker.”
The Harlequins prop had ruled himself out of England’s current tour to Australia after a troubled season, telling the head coach, Eddie Jones, he wanted to “recharge his batteries” this summer.
Marler’s turbulent few months saw him pick up two disciplinary bans and seek professional help in an effort to stay calmer under stress during games.
He himself was accused of scrummaging illegally by Dwyer during the buildup to last autumn’s crucial World Cup group game against the Wallabies.
He was later fined £20,000 and given a two-week ban for calling the Wales prop Samson Lee “Gypsy boy” during this year’s Six Nations game between the two sides.
In April he was handed a two-week ban for kicking the hooker Arnaud Héguy during Quins’ European Challenge Cup semi-final victory against Grenoble.
“The RFU can confirm Joe Marler has been issued with a formal warning under RFU regulation 19.6.14, following his comments made on social media about former Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer on Tuesday 14 June,” said an RFU statement.
“Marler is extremely apologetic for the comment that was made and deleted it within a few minutes of it being posted on Twitter.
“The warning will be retained on Marler’s disciplinary record for a period of five years and may be relied upon in any future disciplinary proceedings.
“The RFU considers this matter closed and will not be commenting further.”
