England’s Joe Marler has called time on a successful international rugby career which has seen the prop win 95 caps and be a part of the side which reached the World Cup final in 2019.
His announcement comes just hours after Steve Borthwick’s side fell to a late defeat against New Zealand in a dramatic Test match at Twickenham.
But the build-up to the contest had, in fact, been dominated by Marler’s comments on the All Blacks’ pre-match Haka ritual with the Harlequins star calling for it to be ‘binned’.
Marler, who is currently absent from England’s squad for personal reasons, subsequently deleted his X account, before resurfacing on the platform hours later, although he refused to apologise. However, on Thursday evening, he rowed back on these comments and expressed his regret.
With the furore seemingly put to bed, the 34-year-old has now retired from international rugby, with the popular figure releasing a video on social media to announce his decision.
England’s Joe Marler has called time on a successful international rugby career
He said: ‘It’s time for me to move on. The time has come for me to finally hang up my England rugby boots’
He played at three World Cups, including the 2019 edition in Japan which saw the Eddie Jones’s side make it to the final
He said: ‘Hi guys. Just a quick one for me really. I know I have done this loads of tiems before, so I should have this waxed lyrically [sic] but this is the real one this time so it’s a bit weird.
‘It’s time for me to move on. The time has come for me to finally hang up my England rugby boots.
‘I feel very sad but very proud to have been given the chance and the opportunities over the years to represent England and I’ve got so many fond memories of wearing the white shirt.
‘I’ve been lucky, really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt and I will cherish all of them because they all count.
‘I just wanted to say thank you for your support over the years and I can’t wait to sit back and be one of you guys now and enjoy where this England team goes moving forward as a proper England rugby fan.
‘Thank you for everything. Goodbye.’
In a jokey aside, Marler laughs: ‘I bet you thought Coley [Dan Cole] would go before me. What anm I going to do without Coley [Dan Cole].’
The prop made his first appearance for England during the summer tour of South Africa in 2012 under new coach Stuart Lancaster.
The prop made his first appearance for England during the summer tour of South Africa in 2012 under new coach Stuart Lancaster
Marler started in the Harlequins side which defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in a memorable Premiership final in 2021
At the last World Cup in 2023, the veteran played in each match except the Bronze Medal game as England made a surprising run to the semi-finals
He went on to play at three World Cups, including the 2019 edition in Japan which saw the Eddie Jones’s side make it to the final.
Marler came on in the 69th minute in England’s famous win over New Zealand in that year’s semi-final.
He entered the fray on 45 minutes in the side’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the final as Jones attempted to add more weight to a struggling scrum.
At the last World Cup in 2023, the veteran played in each match except the Bronze Medal game as England made a surprising run to the semi-finals.
Marler featured in the squad who travelled to New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.
In his video, he makes reference to his previous attempts to retire including in 2018 when he called time on his career only to return for the World Cup the following year.
A one-club man, Marler has made 285 appearances for Harlequins having joined the academy in 2008 and captained the side in the 2014-15 season.
He started in the side which defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in a memorable Premiership final in 2021. This was Marler’s second title and the highest scoring final in history.
Marler has made headlines in recent days thanks to his comments regarding the Haka which spiced up the build-up to England’s home Autumn International against New Zealand.
Marler’s original post had said: ‘The Haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.’
After that initial comment, he clarified its meaning, saying: ‘It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.’
It appeared that Marler had deleted his X account on Wednesday some hours after the posts but he soon resurfaced, writing: ‘Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses.’
He then added: ‘Also needed to satisfy my narcissism.’
His criticism of the pre-match ritual had sparked fury in New Zealand, with Maori cultural advisor Dr Karaitiana Taiuru telling Kiwi news outlet Stuff: ‘Calling for it to be binned with no reasoning shows a lack of appreciation for traditions which is a contradiction for any rugby player, cultural appreciation and lack of open mindedness.’
In his video, he makes reference to his previous attempts to retire including in 2018 when he called time on his career only to return for the World Cup the following year
The 34-year-old had hit the headlines after he claimed the ‘ridiculous’ haka ‘needs binning’
Marler’s comments about the ceremonial dance were slammed back in New Zealand
England fell to a 22-24 defeat against New Zealand in their first autumn international
Meanwhile, Minister for Regulation and leader of the ACT party, David Seymour aimed a savage dig at the 34-year-old.
‘In my experience I have met a few props with very high IQ, but very few of them,’ he said. ‘So it could be something in that area.’
England showed their respect for the Haka as it was performed on Saturday, before taking part in an entertaining Test match which resulted in a 24-22 All Blacks win.