Joe Marler retires from international rugby after winning 95 caps in glittering career – just days after Haka controversy which saw prop call for pre-match ritual to be ‘binned’

England’s Joe Marler has had a successful international rugby career, winning 95 caps and being part of the squad that reached the 2019 World Cup final.

His announcement comes just hours after Steve Borthwick’s side suffered a late defeat to New Zealand in a dramatic Test match at Twickenham.

But the build-up to the match was effectively dominated by Marler’s comments on the All Blacks’ pre-match Haka ritual, with the Harlequins star calling for the match to be ‘thrown away’.

Marler, who is currently absent from the England squad for personal reasons, subsequently deleted his X account, before reappearing on the platform hours later, although he refused to apologise. However, on Thursday evening he walked back these comments and expressed his regret.

With the furore seemingly calmed, the 34-year-old has now retired from international rugby, with the popular figure releasing a video on social media to announce his decision.

He said, ‘Hi guys. Just a quick one for me. I know I’ve done this before, so I should wax this lyrically [sic] but this is the real one this time, so it’s a bit weird.

‘It’s time for me to move on. It’s time for me to finally hang up my England rugby boots.

“I feel very sad but also very proud that I have been given the opportunity and opportunity to represent England over the years and I have so many fond memories of wearing the white shirt.

‘I have been lucky, very lucky, to have experienced both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt and I will cherish them all because they all count.

‘I just wanted to thank you for your support over the years and I can’t wait to sit back and be one of you now and enjoy where this England team is going forward as a true English rugby fan.

‘Thank you for everything. Goodbye.’

Marler jokes, “I bet you were thinking of Coley [Dan Cole] would go before me. What am I going to do without Coley [Dan Cole].’

The prop made his first appearance for England during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa under new coach Stuart Lancaster.

He went on to play at three World Cups, including the 2019 edition in Japan, where Eddie Jones’ side reached the final.

Marler came into action in the 69th minute of England’s famous semi-final victory over New Zealand that year.

He entered the fray after 45 minutes in the side’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the final as Jones attempted to add more weight to a struggling scrum.

At the last World Cup in 2023, the veteran played in every match except the bronze medal match as England surprisingly reached the semi-finals.

Marler was part of the squad that traveled to New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.

In his video, he references his previous attempts to retire, including in 2018, when he took time out of his career to return for the World Cup the following year.

A one-club man, Marler has made 285 appearances for Harlequins after joining the academy in 2008 and captaining the side in the 2014-15 season.

He started in the side that defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in a memorable Premiership final in 2021. This was Marler’s second title and the highest scoring final in history.

Marler has made headlines in recent days thanks to his comments on the Haka, which spiced up the build-up to England’s Autumn International home match against New Zealand.

Marler’s original post said: ‘The Haka should be thrown away. It’s ridiculous.’

After that first comment, he clarified its meaning, saying, “It only makes sense if teams actually answer it. Like the guys in the league did last week.”

Marler appeared to have deleted his Just having a bit of fun to generate interest in a mega rugby match. Some wild reactions.’

Then he added, “Also necessary to satisfy my narcissism.”

His criticism of the pre-match ritual had sparked anger in New Zealand, with Maori cultural advisor Dr Karaitiana Taiuru telling Kiwi News exhaust stuff: ‘Calls for it to be thrown away for no reason shows a lack of appreciation for traditions, which is contradictory to any rugby player, cultural appreciation and a lack of open-mindedness.’

Meanwhile, David Seymour, Regulation Minister and leader of the ACT Party, launched a savage attack on the 34-year-old.

“In my experience, I’ve met a few props with very high IQs, but very few of them,” he said. “So it could be something in that area.”

England showed their respect for the Haka as it was performed on Saturday, before taking part in an entertaining Test match that resulted in the All Blacks winning 24-22.