'Sleep was so important on tour, we need it for good mental health'

As the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia kicks off, ex-international Joe Marler talks about catching enough Zs and getting back into shape

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With four children ranging from four to 11, he says getting a good night's sleep is a must. That's why he's supporting the Tackle Your Sleep campaign with Resmed, the Official Sleep Partner of the Qatar Airways 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia.

It started on June 28 and lasts until August 2, and Joe, who earned 95 caps for England during his international career, says the training, travel and jet lag affects your body and he completely gets what the players are going through.

"Sleep is so important on tour because it is such a long and intense time," he continues.

"If you get into a cycle of shortened sleep or lack of sleep you are not able to put your best foot forward. We would have scheduled 45-minute naps during the day in between training sessions. I was pretty good - I would shut my eyes for five minutes and I was gone. You would have sleep buddies, where if your mate was caught napping at the wrong time, you would wake them up as it can ruin his circadian rhythm. Dan Cole would take great pleasure in doing that to me!