Joe Marler retires (and sounds like he means it this time)

England prop Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Marler won 95 caps for England since making his debut in 2012, and has also been at the heart of a number of controversies throughout his career including sparking a row over the haka ahead of Saturday’s match against the All Blacks.

Marler will continue to play for his club side Harlequins.

England head coach Steve Borthwick praised Marler’s contribution to English rugby: “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.

“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 anymore, he’ll always be part of this team. Thank you, Joe.”

“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” Marler said on Instagram.

“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.”

He continued: “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 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.”

Mr Bounce wrote:I have to say I am surprised he stayed on after the World Cup.

Geordie wrote:PF what is the mental health issues Marler has. Is it Anxiety or something else.

I've only ever heard he has them...but what?

Joe Marler spent his career turning the ultimate team sport into a one-man show

Lukewarm tributes to the retiring prop suggest that England may enjoy a permanent break from the country’s incorrigible rogue

mountain man wrote:I think it's probably reasonable that coaches and fellow players who are 100% committed to a team would want everyone to be.
Possibly one or two might not want someone annoying opposition pre match as well.

I've downvoted my comment just to start things off, save you all a bit of time.

Dan Cole made light of the international retirement of his old mate Joe Marler by revealing that he told the now former England prop: “Who the f--- am I going to room with, Joe? You’ve stitched me up here.”

Marler announced on Sunday that he had retired from Test rugby after winning 95 caps between 2012 and 2024. Discussing life in the England camp without Marler, Cole noted the place was “quieter”, joking: “I talk to one less person, so I talk to no one.” George Ford is now filling the Marler-shaped void as Cole’s new room-mate.

Cole continued: “For selfish reasons you miss him, as he’s a good friend, but at the same time the team continues to move forward. That’s the thing with rugby, one of the weird or great things about it, that no matter the adversity you have you still turn up, train and move forward. He has gone out on his own terms, so is alive, well and healthy. He’s still my friend, but he’s not here.”

Cole added that Marler informed him he was finished with Test rugby after arriving into camp on the Sunday before England began their week of preparing to face New Zealand, with Marler’s comments about the haka after leaving camp dominating the build-up to a 24-22 win for the All Blacks.

Asked whether he had seen Marler’s decision coming, Cole, 37, replied: “Did I think he would go last Sunday? No. But did I think we’re both nearer the end than we are at the beginning, that it was coming at some point, yes.

“I thought part of him wanted 100 caps, but unfortunately, he hurt his foot in the first New Zealand Test, so that would have meant extending on. You just have an inclination, but you have no control over what he thinks or does.”

To Cole’s point about the team constantly evolving, Marler’s replacement in camp this week has been the highly-rated Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 20, who has played tighthead for England Under-20s but is used as a loosehead by his club.

Cole provided a vivid response when asked to explain the difficulties prop face in switching from one side of the scrum to the other, a versatility which is back in fashion with Andrew Porter, Thomas du Toit and Trevor Nyakane all swapping sides at the top level.

“It would be like wiping your a--- with your left hand,” Cole said. “As a tighthead you’re binding with your left shoulder in with the hooker, binding with your right side, your left inside foot is back, your right foot moves when you bind. Whereas loosehead it’s totally the other way round.”