England prop Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby after earning 95 caps.
Marler debuted for England during the summer tour of South Africa in 2012. He was part of three Six Nations-winning teams in 2016, 2017, and 2020. Marler also played in three World Cups, including the 2019 tournament, where England lost to South Africa in the final.
“It’s time for me to move on,” said the 34-year-old Marler. “I’ve been 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.”
Marler was a member of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2017, though he did not play in a Test match. He also made one appearance for the Barbarians in 2019.
He briefly retired from international rugby in 2018 but returned just before the 2019 World Cup. Although named in coach Steve Borthwick’s squad for the current autumn internationals, Marler withdrew for personal reasons.
Earlier this week, Marler apologized after calling the New Zealand haka “ridiculous” and suggesting it needed “binning.” He later expressed regret for his comments and acknowledged he needed to better explain his views.
Marler’s last appearance for England was against the All Blacks in July, where he suffered a foot injury and was substituted after 17 minutes.
“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” Marler said in a social media post. “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. I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could. I want to keep untarnished all these memories of my career. I am ready to make the change.”
England head coach Borthwick praised Marler, saying, “Joe has been an outstanding servant to English rugby. He was a tough competitor on the field and a genuine personality off it. We’ll miss his humor, sense of fun, and the energy he brought to the squad. Though we won’t see him in an England jersey anymore, he will always be part of this team. Thank you, Joe.”
A Legacy in English Rugby
Chris Jones, a BBC rugby union correspondent, remarked on Marler’s decision to retire at 34, noting that it follows a week of headlines regarding his comments on the haka. Marler was known for his colorful personality throughout his career.
Despite some controversies, he was highly respected by teammates and opponents alike. Many consider him one of England’s best-ever props. Although he did not play in England’s recent loss to New Zealand, his presence on the field might have made a difference in the outcome.
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