England legend Joe Marler explains why he is retiring from international rugby for real this time after previously quitting and changing his mind in 2018
Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34 – insisting it is ‘the real one’ this time after gaining 95 Test caps for his country.
The veteran Harlequins player retired from England earlier in 2018 but had a change of heart.
Now he has decided that this is the right time to end his long stint of national service, which started way back in June 2012, against South Africa in Durban.
On Sunday evening he was replaced in the selection by Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Sale’s undisputed front-row sensation.
Days after his social media posts about the Haka sparked outrage and debate, Marler delivered a very different message, about his desire to prioritize his family; wife Daisy and children Jasper, Maggie, Felix and Pixie. “It’s time for me to move on,” he said.
England legend Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34
Marler, pictured at last year’s World Cup, played 95 Test matches in his England career
He watched Saturday’s 24-22 defeat to New Zealand from the home bench at Twickenham
‘I feel very sad, but also very proud. Playing for England always felt like living in a dream bubble. I kept waiting for it to pop and suddenly I would become a sloppy, fat 16 year old again. But you know when it’s time.
‘I can’t do what I used to do as well as I used to. I can’t keep talking about my family as my priority unless that is actually the case. I want to keep all these memories of my career, both good and bad, untouched. I don’t want to leave my house while my children are crying. I’m ready to make the change.
‘I am incredibly grateful that I have been able to play 95 times for my country. I have to pinch myself. Did I really do that? I’m grateful to all those people who showed patience while I messed up over and over again. I am grateful to the fans who made every match special. “I’m grateful to the teammates who pushed next to or behind me, and to those who could do everything with a ball that I can’t do.”
Amid an outpouring of tributes to a scrummager supreme, England head coach Steve Borthwick said: “Joe has been an outstanding servant of English rugby; a tough, uncompromising competitor on the field and a true, unique personality off it. We will miss his humor, sense of fun and the energy he brought to the team.’