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'Petulant child' Marler's brainfade par for the course

Harlequins prop Joe Marler has drawn sharp criticism following his side’s 26-38 Champions Cup loss to Toulouse after conceding a needless penalty late in the game.

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The veteran prop – who was sprung from the replacements bench late in the contest – was penalized for clouting Toulouse substitute Thomas Ramos around the head in the 77th minute, granting the home team a penalty as the contest neared its conclusion.

With the 33-year-old no stranger to such antics, patience seems to have worn thin even among Quins fans. Indeed the incident drew plenty of annoyance on social media – much of which came from the English club’s fans who were infuriated at the Marler’s latest act of tomfoolery.

Fans and pundits alike slammed Marler for what was seen as a needless lapse in judgment and Twitter duly lit up with reactions. One user branded Marler “forever being a ****” while another described the infraction as “the sort of thing you’d be pissed off at your mate in a 2xv game.”

Yet another fan wrote: “Joe Marler going full petulant child in the final minutes. Amazes me when professionals are that stupid”, while another observed: “I like Joe Marler as a bloke, but I never want him to play for any team I support. What was he thinking there?”

There were many more in that vein.

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Another fan defended Marler, writing: “Quins were never going to win this game at that point anyway. But I hope I don’t see Joe Marler getting abused after that. He’s not the only player to have ever done something petty like that.”

Leinster fan account Harpin on Rugby – possibly hoping Quins and not Toulouse made it through to the final with the Irish province – chimed in a with an apposite GIF.

Until that point Harlequins had fought valiantly in their semi-final clash, overcoming a 31-12 deficit to come within striking distance before ultimately succumbing to Toulouse.

The Premiership side struck via tries from Marcus Smith, Cadan Murley, Will Evans and Tyrone Green.

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Toulouse won the day however through scores by Antoine Dupont, Matthis Lebel, Peato Mauvaka and Thibaud Flament.

Source: @RugbyPass

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