England star Joe Marler retires from international rugby days after haka controversy
11/03/2024 05:43 AM
Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby ending a 95-cap career with England.
His decision comes after he withdrew from Steve Borthwick’s autumn internationals squad due to personal reasons.
The Harlequins prop made his debut in 2012 and won three Six Nations titles during his time with the Red Rose.
It’s not the first time he’s retired from international duty having briefly quite in 2018 before returning in a year later.
He was also a member of three World Cup squads with England, including the 2019 iteration.
Held in Japan, England lost the final 32-12 with Marler a second-half substitute.
“It’s time for me to move on,” said 34-year-old Marler.
“I’ve been really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt. I will cherish all of them because they all count.”
“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble. I kept waiting for it to pop and me to suddenly go back to being a gobby, overweight 16-year-old again. But you know when it is time,” Marler said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could. I can’t keep talking about my family being my priority unless they actually are.
“I want to keep untarnished all these memories of my career, both good and bad. I don’t want to leave my house with my kids crying. I am ready to make the change.”
More to follow…
