Loose Head: Confessions of an (un)professional rugby player

Description

The Peter Crouch of Rugby, How to Be a Footballer meets Brian Moore's Beware of the Dog SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR The truth about being a rugby player from the horsey's mouth. This book is not just about how a psychiatrist called Humphrey helped me get back on my horse and clippity-clop all the way to the World Cup semi-final in Japan. It's the story of how a fat kid who had to live up to the nickname Psycho grew up to play and party for over a decade with rugby's greatest pros and live weird and wonderful moments both in and out of the scrum. That's why I'm letting you read my diary on my weirdest days. You never know what you're going to get with me. From being locked in a police cell to singing Adele on Jonathan Ross (I'll let you decide which is worse), being kissed by a murderer on the number 51 bus to drug tests where clipboard-wielding men hover inches away from my naked genitalia, melting opponents in rucks, winning tackles, and generally losing blood, sweat and ears in the name of the great sport of rugby. This is how (not) to be a rugby player.

Joe Marler is one of the biggest names - and most recognisable faces - in English rugby. He signed for Harlequins when he was seventeen and his professional career has been as unconventional as his colourful haircuts, offbeat interviews and eclectic set of bans. Despite retiring and un-retiring twice from international rugby, Joe has won 71 caps, toured with the British and Irish Lions and played for the iconic Barbarians. He first played rugby for Eastbourne Sharks at the age of eleven. Now in his thirties, he is one of the best loosehead props in the world and helped the England team reach the World Cup final in Japan. This is his first book.

Very funny * The Guardian * A rollicking book covering everything from rituals to red mist, nudity to nicknames * Rubgy World *