Joe Marler's technique for 'spotting liars' speaks volumes about Celebrity Traitors star

Former England rugby star Joe Marler shared how he detects dishonesty in others long before filming the hit BBC show Celebrity Traitors

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Joe Marler has been a divisive character on Celebrity Traitors. And the former England rugby legend revealed how he identifies deceivers long before entering the castle.

Marler is among 19 famous faces featuring in the BBC favourite, which was recorded in April but is presently broadcasting on television. The series is due to conclude on November 6.

The 35-year-old, who played 95 times for England, has been an outspoken presence in the episodes shown thus far. Marler has demonstrated he isn't hesitant to voice his opinions whilst attempting to unmask the programme's traitors, fulfilling his role as one of the opposing faithful.

However, well before he approached the Round Table, Marler explained precisely how he uncovers individuals he suspects might be deceiving him when he recalled an encounter with England boss Steve Borthwick.

In 2023, Marler aimed to secure a place in England's 33-man Rugby World Cup squad and following 18 months away from international duty he appeared during initial training sessions.

He remained optimistic about earning selection, though the loosehead prop was uncertain whether coach Borthwick would choose him. That uncertainty lasted until he stared directly into the national team coach's eyes, as this is Marler's method for figuring out whether he thinks a person could potentially be lying to him.

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"I said to him, 'I needed to come and actually speak to you face-to-face, look you in the eye and see if you're a liar or not,'" ex-Harlequins star Marler revealed about his conversation with Borthwick.

"I said 'I don't trust anyone, but you can tell a lot about someone from their eye contact. So I need to look you in the eye and ask you if there's a real chance of getting in your 33 (World Cup squad).'

"Then he did the longest blink in history. It felt like a minute, before finally opening his eyes and saying, 'Joe, there's a real chance that if you work hard enough, you can make it in my 33.'"

Come August of that year, Marler had clearly put in the graft, earning his place in England's squad that would exceed all expectations and reach the semi-finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to eventual winners South Africa.

Following this tournament, Marler would declare in November 2024 that his international days were behind him. He brought the curtain down on his domestic career just one month afterwards.

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Speaking on the Great Company podcast earlier this month, the now-retired Marler revealed his experience on Celebrity Traitors left him feeling "uncomfortable.

"I felt incredibly uncomfortable doing it. You think in the rugby world, you think rugby is massive, you are in it and you think it is massive," he said.

"You come out of it, go into a normal world and they go, 'Who are you then? What do you do?' And you go, 'Oh, I used to play rugby.' And they go, 'What, like, [rugby] league?'

"It was really good. To have a bit of perspective on it. Being confused for being the sound guy or in charge of the props was one of the many highlights!

"It was one of the best experiences of my life. To be a fan of the show, then to have the opportunity to go on it. It didn't disappoint. Doing it was some of the most fun I've ever had. It was bonkers!"