Joe Marler was a self-confessed 's***house' during his rugby heyday, now he could be using the dark arts in hit TV show The Traitors as he reveals his first summer plans post-retirement

The rugby world flocks to Australia this summer for the Lions tour, Joe Marler has decided to tread a different path. There are corporate gigs available on every corner Down Under over the next few weeks but Marler won't be on the gravy train.
In his first off-season since retiring, he will be bashing his way around padel courts, holidaying with his family in Italy and getting familiar with a mansion where turncoats and murderers lurk in the shadows.

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BBC News

32 minutes ago

• BBC News

Link with Tuipulotu has 'got to get better'

Bundee Aki says it was "frustrating" that he did not link up better with midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu in the British and Irish Lions' defeat by Argentina in Dublin on Friday. Andy Farrell's side were beaten 28-24 by the Pumas in what was their sole warm-up fixture before they head to Australia for a nine-game tour that includes three Tests against the there were encouraging signs with ball in hand, too often key passes did not stick and Aki felt he did not "connect well" with his fellow centre."We all know how Sione is as a player, he's class," said Aki, who was also on the Lions' tour to South Africa four years ago."The frustrating thing for me was I wasn't able to connect well with him. He's an unbelievable player and there's no excuse, we've got to get better as a partnership going forward."After the stuttering start for the touring side, Aki believes individual combinations improving will be "better and beneficial for the group"."He speaks out loud, which is good because that's what we need, him being himself and I just feed off him and he feeds off me. So it's brilliant."We've just got to be better at it and keep learning together, the more we grow as a partnership and then as a group, it's going to be better and beneficial for the group."Tuipulotu and Aki would both more regularly be deployed as inside centres, while fellow tourists Garry Ringrose, Huw Jones and Elliot Daly are all more used to wearing the 13 has an established partnership with Jones for both Glasgow and Scotland, while Aki and Ringrose know each other well from Irish sides. Aki added: "Whoever it is, Garry, Huw, Elliot, as a unit we've got to make sure we gel together and try to get that cohesiveness fairly quick because we need to be better."

Daily Mail​

an hour ago

• Daily Mail​

Footy great tears into Aaron Woods branding him a COWARD after he ignited a storm of controversy with his shock one-word spray sledge of Billy Slater

Former New South Wales second-row Ryan Hoffman has torn into Aaron Woods, branding him a 'coward', for his comments igniting a war of words with Billy Slater last week. Woods, also a former NSW player, had taken a shot at the Queensland coach's character, branding him a 'grub' during a live radio show. Slater hit back prior to his side's 26-24 victory against NSW in State of Origin II but had appeared to link Paul Green's death in 2022 with a mental health issue and not Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Slater would later apologise to Green's family, both publicly and privately and was praised by Hoffman for his courage. 'Bill [Slater] wrongly made the point about linking it to Paul Green,' Hoffman told ABC Sport's Offsiders podcast. 'But the point he was trying to make was perfect. Speaking on Woods, he added: 'Just throwing out those comments, you don't know what people have got going on in their lives - you don't know the effect that that can have. In the end, all you're doing is allowing other people to say those comments in the name of "banter". But where do you draw the line? Is calling someone a grub where you would draw the line? 'Is calling someone worse, is it making sexist, racist comments to people allowed because it's in the name of "banter"? 'Just throwing those ridiculous comments out just gives more people avenues to say what they want to who they want without any repercussions. 'Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. 'Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility. 'He made a mistake and apologised to the Green family but he fronted up in front of the camera, in front of the microphone, every single time.' During an episode of Triple M's Breakfast show, Woods had brought up how Slater had kicked Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis in the head during a game in 2006. 'I want to see the real Billy Slater come out - the grub that we know of. This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension. Everyone wants to go "Oh he's such a nice bloke",' Woods had said. Hoffman, taking note of the storm of controversy that has followed, then added that Woods overstepped the mark. 'If he were to come out and make a point about Billy Slater's tactics, about Billy Slater's selection - that's fine. But to purposefully call someone a "grub", to purposefully degrade someone like that, someone that he knows, someone that he made sure his son got to meet and have a photo with. 'But for him to say that just to provide extra spice ahead of Origin - that's rubbish.' Woods has since refused to back down over his 'grub' comment despite Slater echoing Hoffman's comments stating that Woods had neglected his responsibility as a radio host by making the shock comment. 'Those comments I made last Tuesday, I stand by them,' Woods told Triple M's Breakfast show last week. 'You say something about a person, that person is owed a right to reply. He [Billy Slater] has had seven days to reply... he has taken his time, he's been very well thought-out, he's been very measured in what he's had to say. 'A lot of the comments, I agree with. 'But one in particular comment that he did make, I just thought Billy went a little bit over the boundary, and I just think it was really - I just think it was completely unnecessary for the situation.' Slater had fired a dig back at Woods, appearing to make a point that he did not deserve his position in the media, adding that those holding the microphone have a responsibility. But he mistakenly appeared to reference Green. 'I sit in that position most weeks and you amplify your voice to millions of people. You're not talking to your mates in the pub. 'I know Aaron Woods. I actually ran into him three or four weeks ago at a footy game and he didn't voice that opinion then. He actually brought his son over to introduce him to me. 'When you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don't deserve one of those privileged positions that we're all in. 'You don't know what people are going through. 'And although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn't be. Maybe our last coach didn't.' Green had coached the Maroons in the 2021 Origin Series before Slater had taken over in 2022. The former North Queensland coach had been living with a 'severe' case of CTE. His widow, Amanda, also lauded Slater on his courage to apologise. 'To begin with, I would like to say how very courageous it was of Billy to call me, completely unprompted, yesterday,' Green said in a statement to The Courier Mail. 'My heart breaks for Billy Slater as a partner of someone who has been in his position. 'I completely understand the pressures of the role. 'It shows a lot about his true character and what a fine role model he is for young men. I commend and admire him for that. 'This statement is not about rehashing the events of yesterday. 'However, in saying that, yesterday's commentary did highlight to me just how far we still must go in raising awareness and understanding around CTE. Green's wife Amanda, (pictured left and right) also lauded Slater for his courage in immediately reaching out to her to apologise after making the comment 'Paul was diagnosed with Stage Three CTE. Severe CTE. He was living with a very advanced brain disease. 'CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. CTE is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries. 'I now have a responsibility to use my voice to help others, to help those who have lost loved ones, those who are currently struggling themselves or those who are supporting a loved one going through this horrendous disease.' 'Aaron Woods crossed the line,' he said on ABC Sport's Offsiders podcast. 'If he were to come out and make a point about Billy Slater's tactics, about Billy Slater's selection - that's fine. But to purposefully call someone a "grub", to purposefully degrade someone like that, someone that he knows, someone that he made sure his son got to meet and have a photo with. 'But for him to say that just to provide extra spice ahead of Origin - that's rubbish.' 'Media around Origin time is absolutely horrific. Both states are guilty of it. Both states just throw things on the back of their headlines 'cos they need to create this artificial spice. "The build-up to Origin I was boring", it wasn't boring! There is enough to talk about in these games without having to throw ridiculous comments around. 'Media around origin needs to be better. People who get to talk about origin and put their voices into people's lounge rooms or in the car over the radio - you have a responsibility and a privilege of being up there so you really need to watch what you're saying because it does have an effect.' 'Bill [Slater] wrongly made the point about linking it to Paul Green. But the point he was trying to make was perfect. Speaking on Woods, he added: 'Just throwing out those comments, you don't know what people have got going on in their lives - you don't know the effect that that can have. In the end, all you're doing is allowing other people to say those comments in the name of "banter". But where do you draw the line? Is calling someone a grub where you would draw the line? 'Is calling someone worse, is it making sexist, racist comments to people allowed because it's in the name of "banter"? 'Just throwing those ridiculous comments out just gives more people avenues to say what they want to who they want without any repercussions. 'Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. 'Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility. 'He made a mistake and apologised to the Green family but he fronted up in front of the camera, in front of the microphone, every single time.'

Daily Mail​

an hour ago

• Daily Mail​

Pregnant Claudia Fogarty shows off her growing bump in bikini snaps on Ibiza getaway with footballer boyfriend Ollie Crankshaw and family

Claudia Fogarty shared a bump update as she posed for glowing bikini snaps during a holiday to Ibiza with her boyfriend Olly Crankshaw. The former reality star, 30, is away with her partner and family, including her famous dad Carl and sister Danielle as the group after announcing her pregnancy. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Claudia reflected on how the last time the couple were there they didn't know they were about to become a family of three. The mother to be looked lovely in a black and white bikini, which showed off her growing bump to perfection. Claudia oozed glamour as she covered up with a pair of dark sunglasses, posing with one hand on her hip. Other photos saw Claudia and her sisters frolicking in the water together, and another saw the socialite with her famous ex-motorcycle racer dad Carl. The family have spent the last seven days on the island, enjoying some much-needed relaxation. 'Ibiza dump,' she wrote. 'It's crazy to think that this was mine and Ols last holiday together before we become a three.' In May, the star took to her Instagram page to reveal she is expecting a baby girl with Ollie. She penned in a caption as the pair showed off their scan: 'Half of me half of you. We can't wait to meet you. Baby Crankshaw coming November 25.' Claudia debuted her baby bump as she showed off her changing figure in a brown satin maxi dress as she shot a sweet video at sunset in Dubai. Before announcing her pregnancy, Claudia shared with fans how she is swapping her reality TV roots for a new career in the fitness industry. Claudia has embarked on a new journey as a Kore Reformer Pilates instructor, having recently gained her fitness qualifications. Sharing several stunning snaps of herself in a fitted black activewear set while teaching a full class, Claudia wrote: 'In my Pilates girl era… I have started a Pilates page where I'm going to put all my reformer content on. 'I would love for you guys to give me a follow and come with me on my Pilates journey. 'I'll be sharing lots and happy to chat to anyone who wants to come to classes or book in with me for a 1:1. She concluded: 'So excited for this new chapter and to see where it takes me (love heart emoji)'. On her Instagram story, she reposted the announcement, writing: 'Just me finding a new path in life. Loving this new journey already. 'So much to look forward to and share with you all. I've got a feeling this year is going to be a good year (love heart emoji).' She also posted her class schedule, which includes sessions from early morning to late evening, urging followers to book quickly as 'spaces are filling up fast.' Following in the footsteps of her mother, Michelle, a fitness coach, Claudia is now making her own mark in the wellness space.