Joel Merkler (born 25 October 2001) is a Spanish international rugby union player, who plays for Toulouse.
Started playing in Club de Rugby Sant Cugat and later having rose through the Stade Toulousain , Joel Merkler first played his senior rugby on loan for their amateur neighbour of in Fédérale 1 for the 2020âÂÂ21 season. Still playing with the espoirs of the Top 14 club, he won the in June 2021.
On May 25, 2024, Merkler won the European Champions Cup final with Toulouse's victory against Leinster (31 - 22) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Merkler made his debut for Spain on 1 November 2021, replacing Andrés Alvarado during a 20âÂÂ32 away win over Uruguay, that had just qualified for 2023 World Cup, as the American top team.
A tall and fairly massive player, Merkler is able to play both as a prop (mainly a tighthead) or a lock, higher in the forward pack.