Joe Marler Reflects on Persistent Mental Health Challenges Following Retirement

Former England prop Joe Marler, 34, has revealed that the emotional fluctuations inherent in being a Test rugby player continued to impact his mental well-being until his retirement last month. Marler concluded his Test career prior to the commencement of the autumn internationals, despite initially being named in England’s squad. He subsequently played a final, farewell match for Harlequins on Friday, which was a home defeat by Bristol at the Twickenham Stoop, before stepping away from the sport entirely. Speaking on the For the Love of Rugby podcast, Marler stated, “How often do I have low points? Still a fair amount.” He elaborated on the post-tour or post-campaign experience: “Post tour, post campaign, there is a natural lull when you have been used to a schedule being put in front of you, you know where you are going, what you are wearing and you surrounded by the boys all the time. You go back and you have missed your family and you love them to pieces, but you don’t really know where you fit in.” Before this summer’s tour to Japan and New Zealand, Marler consistently engaged in a new form of therapy to address both past and current issues. He described finding a “good rhythm” with it, which left him feeling positive and equipped with various coping mechanisms for his time abroad. However, upon returning home for the summer holidays, he prioritized spending time with his children and family. Despite his therapist’s attempts to schedule follow-up appointments, Marler felt well and decided to “crack on” without them. He now recognizes this as a crucial period when one should continue to “delve into stuff you are struggling with to stay on top of it.” Marler admitted, “I am trying still to get out of that old-school mindset of ‘I feel good so I don’t need any help’.” Throughout his career, Marler frequently discussed his mental health struggles, recounting instances such as crying en route to training, destroying his kitchen in fits of rage, and using anti-depressants. He suggested that his on-field behavior, which included verbally insulting opponents, squirting England team-mate James Haskell with a water bottle, and the March 2020 incident where he grabbed Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones’ genital area (for which he received a 10-week ban), might stem from his own insecurities. Marler added, “Maybe sometimes I get bored, maybe I am an attention-seeker, maybe I lack confidence in my rugby-playing abilities so I try and get involved in a different way somehow to justify being there. I don’t know. Sometimes I like winding other people up – it has been in my nature for god knows how long.”