Joël Merkler (born 25 October 2001) is a Spanish international rugby union player, who plays for Toulouse.
[1] Started playing in Club de Rugby Sant Cugat and later having rose through the Stade Toulousain academy [fr], Joël Merkler first played his senior rugby on loan for their amateur neighbour of FCTT [fr] in Fédérale 1 for the 2020–21 season.
[5] On May 25, 2024, Merkler won the European Champions Cup final with Tolouse's victory against Leinster (31 - 22) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
[6] [7] Merkler made his debut for Spain on 1 November 2021, replacing Andrés Alvarado during a remarkable 20–32 away win over Uruguay, that had just qualified for 2023 World Cup, as the American top team.
[8][9][10] 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.