While success has been at the forefront of Marler's long career, controversy hasn't been far behind.

He's described himself in the past as a pantomime villain on the pitch.

"There's no denying that the reason we're talking about him with the affection, or some will say they think it's disdain, is because of what he's offered away from the rugby pitch," Orchard says.

"I have to say what a character. The sport needs people like this, don't they?"

Rowley adds: "You can't ignore him, can you? But he has, I imagine, been quite difficult to manage at times."

In 2016, he was banned for two matches and fined by World Rugby for calling Samson Lee a "Gypsy boy" in England's Six Nations clash with Wales.

He received a 10-week ban for grabbing the genitals of captain Alun Wyn Jones against the same opposition in 2020.

Last year, he was again criticised for a social post that said the "ridiculous" haka "needs binning", which he later apologised for.

"A lot of people think that that's a bit of fun, saying that the haka has to be binned by New Zealand and that they shouldn't have what some perceive as competitive advantage," Orchard says.

"It's also considered incredibly insulting to the whole Maori culture. It's described as a cultural challenge for a reason, the haka, and it should be respected.

"Therefore, a flippant comment on social media often does not go down well, no matter how light-hearted someone might think that this actually is. So that's where Joe does often get into a lot of trouble."