Joe Marler is not racist, says Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea

England prop Joe Marler has been described as “not in any way shape or form racist” just hours after being was told he will face an independent misconduct hearing for verbally abusing Samson Lee.

Conor O’Shea, Marler’s club coach at Harlequins, has leant his support to the under-fire forward.

“He is not in any way shape or form racist,” O’Shea said. “He is an edgy person, he made a mistake, and he apologised.