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Loose Head: Confessions of an (un)professional rugby player
SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEARThe 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.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
149 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
January 2, 2021
Funny, honest and fascinating, this was an excellent insight into professional rugby told from a viewpoint that is distinctly unprofessional!
I have always had a soft spot for Marler, one of the biggest characters on the rugby pitch and so I was intrigued to read what he had to say. So much of it was interesting and so much of it was hilarious. Yet what really got me was how so much of it was also really heartfelt, deep and introspective.
A very easy, very enjoyable and excellent read.
I have always had a soft spot for Marler, one of the biggest characters on the rugby pitch and so I was intrigued to read what he had to say. So much of it was interesting and so much of it was hilarious. Yet what really got me was how so much of it was also really heartfelt, deep and introspective.
A very easy, very enjoyable and excellent read.
March 29, 2021
This book is still my favorite rugby book do far. It takes a prop to know a prop.
September 1, 2024
One of the games great characters
October 25, 2020
Absolutely loved this, from the 1st page I was hooked. Joe tells a funny and honest tale of his rugby adventures, and it's nice to see that props on a international level are just the same as we grass root props. From his drinking adventure with Irish legend and a personal favorite Rory Best (who can drink more than any normal human being according to Joe) to his heavy struggles with his mental health, which showed that we all have our lows in life. this book was just a terrific, funny and interesting read.
April 6, 2024
For those unfamiliar, 'Loose Head' is a position in rugby. It's also just an excellent title for this autobiography.
I have a real soft spot for Joe Marler. An often misunderstood messer. He's a chap after my own heart and I found myself identifying with his general approach to life.
This is an often hilarious, insightful and simply poignant look at the life of an (un)professional athlete.
How he deals with people's expectations of him, his perceived lack of seriousness being misconstrued as arrogance or just not giving a fuck really hit home.
And his response is usually, well, fuck em.
His candidness about his struggles with mental health, his body image and his teenage angst also made it really engaging and this is another step in the right direction towards talking about these things openly in sport. Especially such a macho sport.
He also delves into some of the class issues surrounding the sport of rugby, and how the slow integration of working class people like himself into it - and increased access to facilities or clubs in working class areas in England - is growing its popularity. The same applies here in Ireland. It's been a historically rich boy gentlemen's sport played only in affluent areas. That's changing with people like Marler who rattle the cage.
Marler narrates the audiobook himself and he's a decent impersonator of people, but mostly he's just a cheeky, good-hearted soul of a lad.
Would even recommend if you have zero interest in sport. I didn't even know half the people he talked about in this book.
I have a real soft spot for Joe Marler. An often misunderstood messer. He's a chap after my own heart and I found myself identifying with his general approach to life.
This is an often hilarious, insightful and simply poignant look at the life of an (un)professional athlete.
How he deals with people's expectations of him, his perceived lack of seriousness being misconstrued as arrogance or just not giving a fuck really hit home.
And his response is usually, well, fuck em.
His candidness about his struggles with mental health, his body image and his teenage angst also made it really engaging and this is another step in the right direction towards talking about these things openly in sport. Especially such a macho sport.
He also delves into some of the class issues surrounding the sport of rugby, and how the slow integration of working class people like himself into it - and increased access to facilities or clubs in working class areas in England - is growing its popularity. The same applies here in Ireland. It's been a historically rich boy gentlemen's sport played only in affluent areas. That's changing with people like Marler who rattle the cage.
Marler narrates the audiobook himself and he's a decent impersonator of people, but mostly he's just a cheeky, good-hearted soul of a lad.
Would even recommend if you have zero interest in sport. I didn't even know half the people he talked about in this book.
October 13, 2021
I’m drawn to characters in sport. I like someone with a bit of something extra, be it humour, grit, positivity, etc.
I like Daniel Riccardo because he’s always so smiley and happy, and genuinely so; Kimi Raikkonen because he’s reserved in public and an absolute party animal in private plus his minimal comments to the media make me laugh; Guy Martin because he’s so driven and determined yet incredibly sharp despite coming across sometimes completely the opposite; Valentino Rossi because he’s hero-worshipped in Italy and the world over for his funny, happy personality let alone his skill and being the best Moto GP racer to go down in history and one thing all of these characters have in common is that this is them, not an act. They are who they show themselves to be; no pretence, no playing at Mr Nice Guy, no “Don’t you know who I am?” lines and fake persona.
Add to this list Joe Marler.
He’s a Rugby Union loosehead who doesn’t give a damn. He’s searingly honest but crucially, he’s so funny! This is immediately obvious from the very start of his autobiography.
His story doesn’t start with his lifelong burning ambition to be a world class sportsman. Sure, he had his own heroes in rugby growing up, but admits he didn’t exactly choose rugby but rugby chose him. The sport fits his build, power and his attitude.
This isn’t a winning against the odds book, a inspirational rags to riches story, an underdog winning medals tale of battling to victory. This is just Joe Marler. He is who he his and he undoubtedly received many calls from fellow players after publication asking why on earth he put something really embarrassing about them in. But it’s not done to wind them up (well, perhaps it is) but it’s just the person he is. He has a great story to tell and so he tells it; drunken shenanigans, hilarious nicknames explained, rule-breaking naughtiness and genital tickling included!
Joe tells of his own unruly and embarrassing moments too plus talks openly about his mental health.
Joe is like an old-school pre-professional rugby player. He plays hard, drinks hard, isn’t likely to be found in the gym too much and only wants to play when he has the passion for it. It’s not about money or fame. He literally doesn’t know what else he could have done in life - rugby slotted in and fitted. End of.
Somehow, without sounding his own trumpet, Joe Marler has played for premiership team Harlequins, been selected for the British Lions and Barbarians and represented England in the Six Nations and the RFU World Cups in England and Japan.
The fat kid known as Psycho due to his readiness with his fists has done good!
If you want a laugh-out-loud book with a few hilarious tales of tours and an insight into some things fellow professionals and coaches may not have admitted to, you won’t be disappointed!
I like Daniel Riccardo because he’s always so smiley and happy, and genuinely so; Kimi Raikkonen because he’s reserved in public and an absolute party animal in private plus his minimal comments to the media make me laugh; Guy Martin because he’s so driven and determined yet incredibly sharp despite coming across sometimes completely the opposite; Valentino Rossi because he’s hero-worshipped in Italy and the world over for his funny, happy personality let alone his skill and being the best Moto GP racer to go down in history and one thing all of these characters have in common is that this is them, not an act. They are who they show themselves to be; no pretence, no playing at Mr Nice Guy, no “Don’t you know who I am?” lines and fake persona.
Add to this list Joe Marler.
He’s a Rugby Union loosehead who doesn’t give a damn. He’s searingly honest but crucially, he’s so funny! This is immediately obvious from the very start of his autobiography.
His story doesn’t start with his lifelong burning ambition to be a world class sportsman. Sure, he had his own heroes in rugby growing up, but admits he didn’t exactly choose rugby but rugby chose him. The sport fits his build, power and his attitude.
This isn’t a winning against the odds book, a inspirational rags to riches story, an underdog winning medals tale of battling to victory. This is just Joe Marler. He is who he his and he undoubtedly received many calls from fellow players after publication asking why on earth he put something really embarrassing about them in. But it’s not done to wind them up (well, perhaps it is) but it’s just the person he is. He has a great story to tell and so he tells it; drunken shenanigans, hilarious nicknames explained, rule-breaking naughtiness and genital tickling included!
Joe tells of his own unruly and embarrassing moments too plus talks openly about his mental health.
Joe is like an old-school pre-professional rugby player. He plays hard, drinks hard, isn’t likely to be found in the gym too much and only wants to play when he has the passion for it. It’s not about money or fame. He literally doesn’t know what else he could have done in life - rugby slotted in and fitted. End of.
Somehow, without sounding his own trumpet, Joe Marler has played for premiership team Harlequins, been selected for the British Lions and Barbarians and represented England in the Six Nations and the RFU World Cups in England and Japan.
The fat kid known as Psycho due to his readiness with his fists has done good!
If you want a laugh-out-loud book with a few hilarious tales of tours and an insight into some things fellow professionals and coaches may not have admitted to, you won’t be disappointed!
December 22, 2025
Having played tighthead in school I could relate to a lot of the things Joe went through as a younger person, not so much as what he experienced playing for the English teams. I never got to play further than school rugby, but that is just the way the ball bounces. Massive respect to the him for giving is a glimpse into his own career in his manner of delivery. Also great to recommend that men do talk about mental health. Big up Joe! From a South African fan.
October 21, 2024
Would be 5 but he plays for England
January 2, 2024
One for the rugby fan in your life. Engaging insight into old school professional rugby, alongside candid accounts of Marler's mental health struggles. Lots of laugh out loud funny moments.
July 2, 2021
Een prop die een boek leest, eigenaardig. Een prop die een boek schrijft, ongeloofwaardig. Toch heeft de nr. 1 van de Harlequins en Engeland een meer dan goede poging gedaan om inzicht te geven hoe het is om als ‘gewone’ arbeidersjongen onderdeel te worden van de ‘posh’ club uit London.
We kennen hem van ‘ fondlegate’ (AWJ) en van ‘ gypsiegate’ (Samson Lee) maar waarschijnlijk het meest gewoon ‘ through the gate’ want ondanks zijn hanekam die zo ondertussen alle kleuren van de regenboog heeft gehad en zijn grappen en grollen heeft Marler wel 66 caps voor Engeland, 200 wedstrijden voor The Quins en 2 wedstrijden voor de British & Irish Lions gespeeld. Hij werd met Harlequins kampioen in 2012, won de Challenge Cup in 2011 en werd vorig jaar 2e op het WK in Japan, voorwaar geen slechte erelijst voor iemand die vaak voor clown wordt uitgemaakt.
Dat is ook het eerste deel van zijn boek, je zou kunnen zeggen de standaard autobiografie. In het tweede deel echter gaat hij dieper in op zijn depressies, woede-aanvallen en twijfels over ‘ hoe leuk rugby eigenlijk wel is’ . Marler is erg openhartig o.a. waarom hij twee keer zijn pensioen voor het Engelse team aankondige en daar ook weer op terugkwam en dat maakt hem meteen een stuk sympathieker voor zover je hem dat al niet vond.
Zijn bewondering voor zijn helden uit het amateur tijdperk, de bijnamen die hij zijn medespelers geeft, de verhalen over de trips en zijn verhouding met o.a. Eddie Jones. Hilarisch zijn de taktieken die hij gebruikt om zijn tegenstander over de rooie te helpen, zijn kennismaking met ‘ royalty’ en zijn eigenaardige manier van warm blijven tijdens een Europese wedstrijd bij arctische temperature. Loose Head leest makkelijk weg, zonder te vervallen in een té melig puberal geschrift. En je hoeft niet bang te zijn dat Joe je gaat vervelen met technische rugbyverhalen, hij blijft natuurlijk wel een prop.
Loose Head is o.a. te koop via Bol.com, maar als je lokale boekwinkel hem kan bestellen steun je wel de kleine middenstander.
We kennen hem van ‘ fondlegate’ (AWJ) en van ‘ gypsiegate’ (Samson Lee) maar waarschijnlijk het meest gewoon ‘ through the gate’ want ondanks zijn hanekam die zo ondertussen alle kleuren van de regenboog heeft gehad en zijn grappen en grollen heeft Marler wel 66 caps voor Engeland, 200 wedstrijden voor The Quins en 2 wedstrijden voor de British & Irish Lions gespeeld. Hij werd met Harlequins kampioen in 2012, won de Challenge Cup in 2011 en werd vorig jaar 2e op het WK in Japan, voorwaar geen slechte erelijst voor iemand die vaak voor clown wordt uitgemaakt.
Dat is ook het eerste deel van zijn boek, je zou kunnen zeggen de standaard autobiografie. In het tweede deel echter gaat hij dieper in op zijn depressies, woede-aanvallen en twijfels over ‘ hoe leuk rugby eigenlijk wel is’ . Marler is erg openhartig o.a. waarom hij twee keer zijn pensioen voor het Engelse team aankondige en daar ook weer op terugkwam en dat maakt hem meteen een stuk sympathieker voor zover je hem dat al niet vond.
Zijn bewondering voor zijn helden uit het amateur tijdperk, de bijnamen die hij zijn medespelers geeft, de verhalen over de trips en zijn verhouding met o.a. Eddie Jones. Hilarisch zijn de taktieken die hij gebruikt om zijn tegenstander over de rooie te helpen, zijn kennismaking met ‘ royalty’ en zijn eigenaardige manier van warm blijven tijdens een Europese wedstrijd bij arctische temperature. Loose Head leest makkelijk weg, zonder te vervallen in een té melig puberal geschrift. En je hoeft niet bang te zijn dat Joe je gaat vervelen met technische rugbyverhalen, hij blijft natuurlijk wel een prop.
Loose Head is o.a. te koop via Bol.com, maar als je lokale boekwinkel hem kan bestellen steun je wel de kleine middenstander.
February 18, 2022
What a fantastic book! Even though I’m an Exeter Chiefs fan, Joe Marler has been my favourite rugby player ever since I started joining my dad when he sat down to watch the rugby and I was soooo excited to find out he had a book coming out. I loved reading about all of the funny stories from his career and I also enjoyed the more serious side of rugby that I wouldn’t have expected. I believe with my whole heart that this is the perfect book for any rugby fan to be able to live these experiences through him. Rugby fans don’t get to see too much of the players off the pitch so it was amazing being able to read about all of the different hidden aspects and experiences. The humour, as well as the truth, displayed in this book is one of the many reasons why Joe Marler will always be my favourite rugby player, even after he has fully retired.
Joe also has an amazing podcast that you can listen to on Spotify called The Joe Marler Show and I really think anyone who enjoyed his book would LOVE the podcast as much as I do (or vice versa, obviously).
Thank you Joe, you’re an inspiration!
Joe also has an amazing podcast that you can listen to on Spotify called The Joe Marler Show and I really think anyone who enjoyed his book would LOVE the podcast as much as I do (or vice versa, obviously).
Thank you Joe, you’re an inspiration!
November 17, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. Oh when will goodreads allow readers to use half stars? There's a huge difference between 3 stars and 4 stars.
This is a mostly unapologetic story of a professional rugby player with serious mental health challenges. From his childhood issues (overweight, being told he was a psycho) into his career and life as a husband and father, he aptly tells of what it was like for him to be consumed by anger. Through his stories, it is easy to understand how an athlete can struggle, being away from home for extended periods and being expected to perform at a high level.
Only at the end of the book does the author begin to tell us of his work with a psychologist. He encourages people to seek help and to talk with others. I wish he would have spent a bit more time on this.
This is a mostly unapologetic story of a professional rugby player with serious mental health challenges. From his childhood issues (overweight, being told he was a psycho) into his career and life as a husband and father, he aptly tells of what it was like for him to be consumed by anger. Through his stories, it is easy to understand how an athlete can struggle, being away from home for extended periods and being expected to perform at a high level.
Only at the end of the book does the author begin to tell us of his work with a psychologist. He encourages people to seek help and to talk with others. I wish he would have spent a bit more time on this.
May 7, 2021
Although I have logged Marler's 'Loose Head' in my 'autobiogs' list, its more of a rugby memoir.
His confessions come across as more unprofessional than professional at times, as well as somewhat juvenile. However, to the Unionist, the antics that go on in the professional game should not surprise many.
I have had a 'night on the town' in the company of an English Premiership rugby team and reading Joe's XV drinking squad seems par for the course. These team bonding antics are prevalent at international level as well as club level.
I think the books redeeming feature is Marler's honesty, particularly the confessions of his mental struggles.
All in all, I found 'Loose Head' an appropriate title, although I wouldn't recommend informing Mr Marler of that fact to his face!
His confessions come across as more unprofessional than professional at times, as well as somewhat juvenile. However, to the Unionist, the antics that go on in the professional game should not surprise many.
I have had a 'night on the town' in the company of an English Premiership rugby team and reading Joe's XV drinking squad seems par for the course. These team bonding antics are prevalent at international level as well as club level.
I think the books redeeming feature is Marler's honesty, particularly the confessions of his mental struggles.
All in all, I found 'Loose Head' an appropriate title, although I wouldn't recommend informing Mr Marler of that fact to his face!
December 26, 2022
Not originally a book I wanted to read, simply due to the fact I have probably judged Mr Marler as being a bit of a cocky rugby player.
How wrong I have been.
Joe Marler started off as a young boy, rising through the ranks of Harlequins academy, to join the first team and eventually joining the national side as one of our country’s go to prop.
A full in depth account of his career to date, charting the highs and the lows - including some of his shocking interactions with other players.
I am impressed at the way he has opened up about his mental health struggle, a no mean feat for men as a whole (something that I hope changes soon).
I wish Marler every success moving forward and I thank him for his honesty and openness in this magnificent book.
Five out of five.
How wrong I have been.
Joe Marler started off as a young boy, rising through the ranks of Harlequins academy, to join the first team and eventually joining the national side as one of our country’s go to prop.
A full in depth account of his career to date, charting the highs and the lows - including some of his shocking interactions with other players.
I am impressed at the way he has opened up about his mental health struggle, a no mean feat for men as a whole (something that I hope changes soon).
I wish Marler every success moving forward and I thank him for his honesty and openness in this magnificent book.
Five out of five.
December 31, 2020
There is no worse genre of book than the sports autobiography. Andre Agassi's memoir aside - they are universally terrible. But this is excellent. It hardly mentions actual games of rugby at all. Instead it chronicles the life of a professional rugby player - with the added spice of one coming from a working class background who often feels a little lost. It's funny - and is matter of fact about drunkeness, violence, drug tests, disciplinary panels and most impressively, mental health. The audible version is especially good as Marler is a superb mimic. Bravo!
May 9, 2021
An ex prop forward myself I read this and found it interesting. There are some anecdotes that made me smile and I saw a lot of familiarity in some of the tales even if I only ever played at a very junior level.
Then there's the chapter where he opened up on mental health issues and as someone who has been through a nearly identical experience I wept happy tears that we as men are allowed to talk about these things now and I despair for my father and grandfathers who never had that opportunity.
Bit too short though so lopped a star off for that.
Then there's the chapter where he opened up on mental health issues and as someone who has been through a nearly identical experience I wept happy tears that we as men are allowed to talk about these things now and I despair for my father and grandfathers who never had that opportunity.
Bit too short though so lopped a star off for that.
January 12, 2021
Absolutely Loved This
Who would have thought that a rugby players autobiography would be hard to put down.
I'm a Quins fan, rugby and and I met Joe Market briefly purchase a couple of seasons ago.
This book is well written, funny in parts, moving in others, especially when he opens up about his 'demons'. Brutally honest, hilarious and great fun to read it gives the reader a good insight into the life of a professional rugby player.
Give it a go - you won't be disappointed.
Who would have thought that a rugby players autobiography would be hard to put down.
I'm a Quins fan, rugby and and I met Joe Market briefly purchase a couple of seasons ago.
This book is well written, funny in parts, moving in others, especially when he opens up about his 'demons'. Brutally honest, hilarious and great fun to read it gives the reader a good insight into the life of a professional rugby player.
Give it a go - you won't be disappointed.
November 19, 2023
A book I took by chance when I saw it, I am not a rugby person (it is not that big in my country) nor do I know this rugby player, but the book just sounded interesting + fun, so I had to try. The first try in June was a dud, but now in November? I had a lot of fun reading this one! Loved all the honesty. Loved the various chapters from fun ones that made me laugh to more personal + serious parts. And I always love the addition of photographs~
February 26, 2025
Very enjoyable read
This was a very good read. I am a big rugby fan and England supporter . I read Joes book straight after reading James Haskell what a flanker. I enjoyed both books but found Joes book made me sit back and think about life. I am no longer going to get stressed out over trivial things I will talk to people . Thanks Joe and stay in the news and on tv we need more Joe Marlers.
This was a very good read. I am a big rugby fan and England supporter . I read Joes book straight after reading James Haskell what a flanker. I enjoyed both books but found Joes book made me sit back and think about life. I am no longer going to get stressed out over trivial things I will talk to people . Thanks Joe and stay in the news and on tv we need more Joe Marlers.
August 9, 2025
This book is a front-row seat to the chaos, camaraderie, and comedy of professional rugby life. It’s perfect for fans of the sport and anyone curious about what happens when brute force meets fragile mental health. Candid, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt, it tackles locker room antics, personal struggles, and the pressure of elite performance with the finesse of a fly-half dodging a tackle—and the wit of someone who’s taken a few hits but still knows how to land a punchline.
February 8, 2021
A great read about a great bloke. Marler tells some hilarious tales of his rugby career, whilst also touching on his own struggles with his mental health. A real honest book, showing that mental health issues cannot affect anyone. Well done Hoe for telling your truths, and all the best with your future.
February 19, 2021
Well written and honest book
I'm a big fan of Joe Marler so I had to read this book. A very honest and frank book chronicaling the highs and the lows of Joe's life. I loved all the inside information on the Quins and England rugby team. A really important message about mental health too. Well done Joe x
I'm a big fan of Joe Marler so I had to read this book. A very honest and frank book chronicaling the highs and the lows of Joe's life. I loved all the inside information on the Quins and England rugby team. A really important message about mental health too. Well done Joe x
February 25, 2022
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Funny, outrageous and, at times, deep, heartfelt and serious. I expected the former from one of the most interesting and quotable rugby players around, but not the latter. Someone like Joe Marler speaking out - or, in this case, writing about - his mental struggles can only be a good thing. One of the better sports memoirs out there.
March 24, 2022
Joe Marler is quickly becoming one of my favourite rugby players. This book had some powerful messages about the mental health side of rugby and the real struggles that players face. I found it was inspiring to hear about how Joe struggled through tough times and still found help. It made me take a tough look at my own mental health within rugby and outside of the game.
March 29, 2022
Really good and interesting on the whole and a nice mixture of humour and more serious ideas. The section about his mental health struggles are honest and well explained.
I would have given it 4 stars, but there's a few chapters that feel like they're there to meet a word count - the section on nicknames for example reads like click bait on RugbyLad rather than anything of any substance.
I would have given it 4 stars, but there's a few chapters that feel like they're there to meet a word count - the section on nicknames for example reads like click bait on RugbyLad rather than anything of any substance.
October 9, 2022
A good insight into the world of professional rugby players plus personal reminiscences from Joe Marler. I would have expected the horseplay and heavy drinking would be a thing of the past at this level of professional rugby but…not a bit of it!
JM shared his difficulties with his mental health as well as the highs and lows of his career to date.
JM shared his difficulties with his mental health as well as the highs and lows of his career to date.
September 6, 2023
What a lovely chap Joe Marler is. A lot of familiar insights into Rugby and not too dissimilar from Haskell’s book. Open and honest, emotional, non-linear and funny. Nice little read to get me ready for the World Cup. I forget there are so many amazing characters in rugby and Joe is someone who’ll be around Rugby in some capacity long after he’s retired. Fascinating. Great autobiography…
February 19, 2025
This book came highly recommended and I was fascinated to find out more about this character of rugby. Marler is very open and gives an incredibly honest account of life as a professional rugby player. Not for the faint hearted (I pity the Japanese drug tester!) and little on strong on the language side for my liking but an interesting read.
October 15, 2020
Delightful read and an interesting insight to a player that stands out. The stories were fantastic but the honesty was what really struck me. Read it and tell me that you don’t want to go an give him a big cuddle!
October 25, 2020
I loved this book from start to finish it will have you smiling and laughing all the way through. An eye opener to the world of one of the best players in my eyes life. His honest account with mental health made me feel emotional as it shows you can have it all but you can still have dark days.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews