Joe Marler Concludes England Rugby Career, Reflecting on “Dream Bubble”

England prop Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby after earning 95 caps. He was present at Twickenham on Saturday during England’s 24-22 loss to New Zealand. Marler’s first appearance for England occurred during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa. He contributed to three Six Nations championship victories for England in 2016, 2017, and 2020. Furthermore, he participated in three Rugby World Cups for England, notably in 2019 when the team was defeated by South Africa in the final match. The 34-year-old Marler stated, “It’s time for me to move on.” He added, “I’ve been really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt. I will cherish all of them because they all count.” The Harlequins prop was also included in the British and Irish Lions squad for their 2017 tour of New Zealand, although he did not feature in a Test match. In 2019, he played once for the Barbarians. He had previously announced a temporary retirement from international rugby in 2018, but subsequently rejoined the squad prior to the 2019 World Cup. Marler had been selected for Steve Borthwick’s squad for the current autumn internationals but withdrew due to personal reasons. Earlier this week, he issued an apology after labeling the New Zealand haka “ridiculous” and suggesting it needed “binning” in the period leading up to Saturday’s Test match against the All Blacks. He subsequently stated that he “should have done better at explaining things” and expressed gratitude for the understanding he has gained since then. Joe Marler (pictured right) first played for England during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa. Marler’s last match for England took place in July against the All Blacks, where he sustained a broken foot and was replaced after 17 minutes of play. In a social media post, Marler reflected, “Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble. 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 is 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.” Marler further explained, “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 am ready to make the change.” England head coach Steve Borthwick commented, “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 any more he’ll always be part of this team. Thank you, Joe.” Chris Jones, BBC rugby union correspondent As Marler has humorously noted today, he has announced international retirements previously, but on this occasion, at 34 years old and with 95 caps, it is definitive. It is rather apt that this announcement occurs in a week when he garnered significant attention for his remarks concerning the Haka. Always a distinctive personality, Marler seldom went unnoticed throughout his international career. Nevertheless, notwithstanding occasional controversies, he consistently earned high regard from both teammates and adversaries, and was an exceptional player – considered among England’s finest props, possibly unfortunate not to have played a Test for the British and Irish Lions in 2017. Although he did not participate in Saturday’s narrow loss to New Zealand, one might speculate that England could have secured a victory had he been on the pitch during the final moments.