Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby, ruling himself out of the remainder of England's autumn nations campaign. The decision comes as Marler prioritizes his family, stating: "I can't do what I used to do as well as I once could." As exclusively reported by the Guardian, Marler departed the England camp at the beginning of last week for personal reasons, making himself unavailable for the recent loss to the All Blacks. It is understood that the prop joined the camp last Sunday but informed coach Steve Borthwick and senior players of his decision before returning home.
Marler, who was keen to emphasize a "day-by-day" approach last week, has now officially ended his England career with 95 caps. "Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble," Marler shared on social media. "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's time. 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 it untarnished, all these memories of my career, both good and bad. I don't want to leave my house with my kids crying. I'm ready to make the change."
Marler's decision to retire comes after he previously retired in 2018, only to reverse that decision in time for the 2019 World Cup. However, at 34, another change of heart seems unlikely. He has four children with his wife, Daisy, and family considerations played a significant role in his decision to leave the camp. Marler has been candid about his struggles with being away from his family for extended periods and withdrew from the 2016 summer tour of Australia. He was convinced by Borthwick to return for the World Cup last year, having not played for England since the 2022 Six Nations, but it was clear that he needed some convincing.
Marler accepted a place in Borthwick's squad for the autumn internationals and participated in the warm-weather training camp in Girona. However, a well-placed source noted that Marler had to recover from a broken foot to regain fitness last month and has since fallen down the England pecking order with Ellis Genge's return and the emergence of Harlequins teammate Fin Baxter. This realization led Marler to conclude that his heart was no longer in it.
When discussing his return for the 2023 World Cup, Marler sought assurances that he would not be "cannon fodder" in the squad. "It's the friendship and respect of team-mates like Dan that I'll cherish the most," Marler added. "The fun we had reaching the Rugby World Cup final in Japan in 2019. Coming off together in the semi-final against South Africa in 2023, sitting down on the bench, patting each other on the leg and saying we did alright there, old son."
Marler's retirement is a significant loss for Borthwick. It is understood that the coach was sympathetic to the decision but highlighted the inexperience of the current squad after the defeat by the All Blacks. Several key players, including Courtney Lawes, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs, Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola, and now Marler, have either retired or made themselves unavailable for selection.
"Joe has been an outstanding servant to English rugby – a tough, uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine, one-of-a-kind personality off it," said Borthwick. "We'll miss his humour, sense of fun, and the energy he brought to the squad. We're grateful for all he's given to England rugby, and though we won't see him in an England jersey any more, he'll always be part of this team. Thank you, Joe."
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
