At 34 years old, Joe Marler announced his international retirement in a video posted on his social networks and those of the XV de la Rose. After 95 selections in the pearly jersey, the left pillar is taking off. “Playing for England always felt like a daydream”, he confided.
Known for not having his tongue in his pocket, the England prop was one of the most popular faces of the last 15 years in English rugby. Deeply endearing for some, particularly annoying for others, his unusual haircuts and his moody gestures will have left their mark.
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On the ground, Joe Marler has often distinguished himself by his combativeness and his malice. With the XV de la Rose, he will have won three different editions of the VI Nations Tournament (2016, 2017 and 2020). 8 years ago, he even won a Grand Slam with his compatriots.
In the World Cup, he will have experienced the worst and (almost) the best. Present during the humiliation of 2015, where England did not make it out of the pools of their home RWC, he was also a decisive element in the English epic of 2019. In Japan, he reached the final of the competition.
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As he approaches retirement age, his announcement has the air of déjà vu. For good reason, Joe Marler has already retired internationally… twice! In 2018, he admitted to having voluntarily committed mistakes in order to be unavailable for selection, because he was suspended. He immediately announced his international retirement, for “spend time with (at) family.”
In 2020, he once again confided that he wanted to leave the selection, before changing his mind after only a few months. Talented and unifying, the various coaches often welcomed him with open arms despite everything.
Furthermore, current coach Steve Borthwick dedicated a few words to the left pillar. “Joe has been an exceptional servant of English rugby. A tough, uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine, one-of-a-kind personality off it. We will miss his humor and the energy he brought to the team. We are grateful to him 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“, he punctuates about Joe Marler.
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