England prop, Joe Marler’s career comes to an end as he announces his retirement.
Marler expressed his will to leave due to the fact that he had to focus on his family apart from the fact that he wasn’t as good as he used to be again.
On his Twitter (X) account, he wrote, “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”.
He appreciated his teammates who had been with him all through his time in the England team.
“So I’m incredibly grateful that I got 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 as I kept messing up. I’m grateful to the fans who made each match special. I’m grateful to the teammates who pushed alongside or behind me, and the ones who could do all the things with the ball that I can’t. But most of all I’m grateful to Daisy, Jasper, Maggie, Felix and Pixie for their unwavering support. I’m sad to say goodbye to international rugby. But, I’m really proud, too. Time to exit one dream bubble; time to enter a new one. Big Love,” he said.
Marler has retired from international rugby before, in 2018, only to reverse his decision in time for the 2019 World Cup but at 34.
“Rugby has taken me places I could never have imagined. We had a big map of the world up on our wall in the kitchen. We put pins in the places we’ve been. The kids have pins in four or five holiday places, and Daisy has the same. They can’t believe how many I have stuck in. Dad, have you really been there? What’s Uruguay? When you come from a little town in East Sussex, that’s not normal. It’s a wonderful thing.”
England head coach, Steve Borthwick praised Marler upon his retirement saying, “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,” he added.
Marler will continue playing for Harlequins until the end of the season.
In his 12 years as England’s prop, the player has appeared at three World Cups, including the final of the 2019 tournament.
