by 
England prop Joe Marler has surprisingly announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.
In an Instagram post, the 34-year-old confirmed he was “saying goodbye to international rugby” after winning 95 England caps since making his debut in 2012.
Marler was included in England’s squad for the ongoing Autumn Nations Series, but left the squad for “personal reasons” earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s clash against New Zealand, which the All Blacks have won 24-22 after George Ford’s late missed penalty and dropped the goal.
“Playing for England always made me feel like I was living in a dream bubble,” Marler wrote on Instagram. “I was always waiting for it to kick in and suddenly become 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 used to. I can’t keep saying my family is my priority unless they really are. I want to keep all these memories of my career intact, good and bad. I don’t want to leave my house with my children crying. I’m ready to make the change.
“I’m sad to say goodbye to international rugby, but I’m also very proud. It’s time to exit a dream bubble, it’s time to enter a new one.
Marler has spoken openly about his mental health struggles throughout his career and his battle with depression led him to retire for the first time in 2018, although he returned for the 2019 World Cup.
He had previously announced his intention to retire from rugby at the end of this season and, although it is not yet confirmed, it is expected that the front-rower will complete his contract with the Harlequins club and then hang it up his crampons completely.
England head coach Steve Borthwick paid tribute to the extroverted striker, who often made as many headlines for his antics off the field as for his enormous abilities on it.
“Joe has been an exceptional servant of English rugby – a tough, uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine, one-of-a-kind personality,” Borthwick said.
“We will miss his humor, his sense of fun and the energy he brought to the team. We are grateful for everything he has given to English rugby, and although we will not see him in an England shirt again, he will always be part of this team. Thanks, Joe.
Just this week, Marler found himself embroiled in something of a scandal when he criticized the haka – the Maori war dance performed by the All Blacks before every match – as “ridiculous” and suggested it should be “trashed” in a since-deleted social post. -media publication.
A day after his post, the prop briefly deleted his X account before New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said Marler could have “expressed himself better” and England captain Jamie George admitted the comments had “poked the bear”.
Marler apologized on Thursday evening and expressed gratitude for the “education” he received on what the haka meant to New Zealand culture.
I am grateful for the education I received on the importance of the Haka to New Zealand culture and hope others will also understand better. See you now at 3 p.m. Saturday for a mega rugby event. England by 6pts 😜 I’m going back to my attention seeking box now. Great love x pic.twitter.com/CuFAEOgZMt
–Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) October 31, 2024
As well as his 95 England caps, Marler was also part of the 2017 British and Irish Lions squad and appeared in five New Zealand tour matches.
He helped England finish second at the 2019 World Cup, where they demolished the All Blacks in the semi-final before losing to South Africa in the final, and also finished third at the Cup 2023 World Cup – once again beaten by the Springboks. . He also played for the Barbarians on several occasions.
England have called up rising star Asher Opoku-Fordjour to replace Marler in their squad for the match against Australia next Saturday. Borthwick’s side also face South Africa and Japan in November.
