Joe Marler joins Prop Star judging panel

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has joined fellow British & Irish Lions Jason Leonard and Adam Jones and world-record breaking front rower Rochelle Clark on the Rhino Prop Star 2018 judging panel. 

The star-studded panel will be responsible for shortlisting the nominees to a final three who go to the public vote before a winner is announced at half-time during the Varsity Match between Cambridge University and Oxford University on Thursday 6th December at Twickenham.

This year’s prize includes:       

• Bespoke post protectors for your club
• British & Irish Lions hit shield, as used by the 2017 squad
• Customised Rhino hoodies for all three finalists  
• VIP Varsity Match experience for all three finalists
• Bespoke Rhino Prop Star trophies for all three finalists 
• A scrum session with England coach Neal Hatley

Every prop that gets nominated will appear across Rhino's social channels before the shortlisting to try and drum up support and impress the judges.

Joe Marler said: “I think while every prop is totally unique, we share a lot of characteristics and Prop Star celebrates the best of them: commitment, selflessness, community-minded. I’m looking for those props who embody all of these in my shortlist.”

Jason Leonard, who is chair of the judges, added “Last year’s Prop Star justifiably highlighted what we already knew – that props are brilliant human beings. I’m looking forward to discovering even more wonderful props, although they’ll have to go some to match last year’s winner, Rhiannon.”

To nominate a prop at your club who goes beyond the call of duty, all you have to do is submit the entry at the link below telling us why you think they deserve to be named Prop Star 2018. Entries close on Monday 1st October 2018.

Last year's finalists at Twickenham with Martin Johnson

How it works
Once you have nominated your prop, presuming they fulfil the entry criteria (see rules at the bottom of this page), they will appear on Rhino's social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and this is your chance to start drumming up support for them by getting your friends and family to retweet and share their nomination.
These nominated props will then be shortlisted to three by our panel of expert judges. This shortlist of three will then go to a public vote on Rhino's channels with a winner chosen by Thursday 6th December 2018 when the award will be presented at the Varsity Match at Twickenham. 

The rules
1) All entrants must be active, playing, amateur rugby players.
2) Shortlisted props must be available to attend the Varsity Match on Thursday 6th December, 2018. No travel expenses will be paid to or from Twickenham.
3) All nominated props will appear on Rhino's social media channels for the duration of Prop Star 2018 and beyond in promotion of future Prop Star competitions.
4) All supplied imagery must be rights-free and available for Rhino to use free of charge across all social media, digital and print platforms in relation to Rhino Prop Star promotional activity.
5) There are no alternative prizes or cash alternatives.
6) Prizes will only be sent to a UK postal address.
7) The closing date for all entries is midnight, 01.10.18.
8) The shortlisting is subject to the judges' decision and that decision is final - no correspondence will be entered into.
9) The competition is open to players and rugby clubs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
10) Entry is open to props of all ages, but those under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian before being nominated. Should they reach the Twickenham final they must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.