Rugby player Joe Marler is set to appear on the BBC gameshow Gladiators, taking on the role of “Mauler.” Outlets report that he will be among the show’s athletes facing challengers in the arena, with Marler publicly describing the part he wants before joining the cast.
The reporting also places Marler’s casting in the context of previous rugby players who have taken roles in the Gladiators lineup. Rugby World notes that he follows earlier entrants associated with the show, including athletes and former rugby figures who have previously appeared under ring names such as Amazon, Fury, Apollo and Jeremy Guscott. Across sources, the focus is on Marler’s transition from professional rugby to TV competition and his connection to the show’s tradition of featuring athletes from contact sports.
While the details about any specific request or behind-the-scenes process are not consistent across the two accounts, both agree on the core point: Marler is joining Gladiators as Mauler.
