Joe Marler is victim of ‘excruciating media witch-hunt’ says Damian Hopley

• Players union chief says England prop disciplinary process ‘defies belief’ • Player faces World Rugby hearing over ‘Gypsy boy’ insult to Wales’ Samson LeeThe Rugby Players’ Association has said the prolonged disciplinary process hanging over the England prop Joe Marler “defies belief”. In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Damian Hopley, the players’ union chief executive, gave a robust defence of Marler and said he was the victim of an “excruciating media witch hunt”.Marler faces a misconduct hearing on 5 April after calling the Wales front row Samson Lee “Gypsy boy” during Englan…