Rugby fans have been left stunned after former England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler revealed his new look following retirement \u2014 with the 33-year-old reportedly losing over\u00a010kg\u00a0since leaving the game.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel\u00a0<\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n The tighthead, who hung up his boots in November 2024, has slimmed down noticeably and fans say he looks \u201clike a different man\u201d compared to his days anchoring the England scrum.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc9 One supporter joked:\u00a0\u201cMarler\u2019s gone from scrummaging machine to padel machine.\u201d Since stepping away from rugby, Marler has thrown himself into\u00a0padel, the fast-growing racket sport he first discovered during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s that one rally you get where you feel good at it. I chase that moment,\u201d Marler explained at a recent celebrity event.<\/p>\n Although he insists he\u2019s \u201cno good\u201d at it, Marler has embraced padel in retirement and even joked that people are disappointed when they realise he\u2019s not the superstar they expected:<\/p>\n \u201cPeople think I\u2019m really good, they book me to spread the padel gospel, then they realise I\u2019m not good at it!\u201d<\/p>\n Marler has already competed in the\u00a0Pro Am Padel Tour, linking up with ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor and facing off against teams including comedian Jason Manford, alongside Britain\u2019s No.1 padel player Aimee Gibson.<\/p>\n Fans online continue to share their surprise at his transformation, with one writing:\u00a0\u201cNever thought I\u2019d say it, but Joe Marler looks almost too lean to be a prop these days.\u201d<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Meet the Red Roses\u2019 private partners: Two England stars are dating each other<\/p>\n Taking on a Rugby World Cup is no easy task\u2014especially when it\u2019s on your home turf, in front of the roars of England\u2019s faithful. That\u2019s the challenge the Red Roses are gearing up for come August 2025.<\/p>\n But when the whistles blow and the scrums form, these stellar athletes have something\u2014or someone\u2014behind them that\u2019s just as vital: their partners. Let\u2019s meet the supportive squad off the field\u2026<\/p>\n Jess Breach & Archie White<\/p>\n There\u2019s not much public detail about their relationship, but the headlines say it all: Jess Breach shares life with former Harlequins flanker\u00a0Archie White, who created headlines by stepping away from the game last summer at just 27. <\/p>\n A bold pivot, and no doubt a steadying presence in Jess\u2019s corner.<\/p>\n Ellie Kildunne \u2013 Newly Single?<\/p>\n Star fullback\u00a0Ellie Kildunne\u00a0has long been one of England\u2019s most exciting talents\u2014and her personal life has caught attention too. She was previously in a relationship with\u00a0Cameron Sommerville-Bailey, a director at Complete Renovations, with the pair even attending the World Rugby Awards together in 2024.<\/p>\n However, rumours now suggest the couple have since split, with Ellie thought to be single as she heads into the World Cup year. Neither has spoken publicly about the status of their relationship, but the whispers have circulated widely among fans.<\/p>\n For now, Ellie seems fully focused on her rugby\u2014lighting up the pitch with her trademark flair as she looks to play a starring role in England\u2019s World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\ud83d\ude02 Another added:\u00a0\u201cHe looks younger now than when he was still playing!\u201d<\/p>\n