Joe Marler Jungle-Bound After Confirming Shock Retirement
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Former England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has revealed he will retire from professional rugby at the age of 34.
Marler, who earned 95 international caps over a stellar 12-year England career, played a crucial role in securing three Six Nations titles for his country.
A one-club legend
At club level, Marler has been the epitome of loyalty, spending his entire career with Harlequins. Across 204 appearances in the iconic quarters, he claimed two Premiership titles and lifted the European Challenge Cup.
His swansong will come this Friday when Quins face Bristol Bears at The Stoop in the Gallagher Premiership.
In his own words
“The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game. On Friday night I’ll play my last-ever match for Quins. After all these happy years, it’s over,” Marler said in a heartfelt statement.
“I feel lucky to have pulled on the jersey worn by so many idols of mine, and so many better players.
“That’s an incredible thing to me. I got to stand alongside so many great players and people that have made this club so special.”
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Dreaming of the Jungle
Always up for a laugh, Marler even toyed with the idea of trading rugby boots for jungle trials. "I'd love to go in the jungle," he revealed in his first column, referring to I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
“Obviously, it comes with the risk that James Haskell experienced – or said he experienced – that he was edited badly.
“That's why he came across so badly, because he was so hungry. Hmmm, yeah, it was definitely the edit! ‘The risk is you put yourself out there, outside the rugby bubble and you've got to realise there's going to be loads of people that don't like you.”
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Claustrophobic Confessions
Marler then turned to his hilarious struggle with claustrophobia. "Do I think I'd be good? You don't know until you try it," he said. "But I'd be awful in confined spaces. The amount of drugs I've taken to knock me out for an MRI could knock out a decent-sized horse.
“Otherwise, I have a panic attack. It's bad." He even once had to use a giant animal MRI machine at London Zoo, shaped like a burger: "But it was
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Podcasting and Future Ambitions
Marler has already begun exploring life beyond rugby, notably through his podcast, “Joe Marler's Things People Do” (previously “The Joe Marler Show”). The show, which isn't rugby-centric, allows Marler to engage with a diverse range of people and topics.
Joe Marler’s dream team:
Marler’s cheeky selection features seven All Blacks legends in his team, with three from Ireland, two Welsh, two Australians and a Fijian nicknamed ‘The Bus’.
FRONT-ROW
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
SECOND-ROW
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
BACK-ROW
6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
HALFBACKS
9. Will Genia (Australia)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
CENTRES:
12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
BACK-THREE:
11. Siteveni Sivivatu (New Zealand)
14. Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
15. Israel Folau (Australia)
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, “On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I’d take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster… a couple of clubs.”
Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
Whether it’s the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let’s see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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