England legend Joe Marler, 34, announces shock retirement days after sparking huge haka row and collecting 95 caps
JOE MARLER has announced his shock retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.
The prop, 34, racked up a whopping 95 caps for England, making his debut back in 2012.
Marler won three Six Nations titles - in 2016, 2017 and 2020 - and was part of the Red Rose squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, losing to South Africa.
But he hit the headlines plenty of times for his misdemeanours and antics - often away from the rugby pitch.
And that included just this week as he sparked a huge row over New Zealand's famous haka.
Marler labelled the All Blacks' pre-match traditional Maori dance as "ridiculous" and called for it to be banned.
That prompted a furious backlash on social media, with many calling the Englishman "disrespectful" for his outspoken views.
Marler deactivated his social media account but returned on Wednesday to suggest he was purely trying to drum up added heat and interest ahead of the England vs New Zealand clash at Twickenham on Saturday - as well as "satisfying my narcissism".
Marler missed out on yesterday's crunch showdown as he continued his recovery from a broken foot.
But now the Harlequins star has revealed he won't pull on the famous white jersey to represent his country again - thus ruling him out of the remainder of the Autumn Internationals.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday morning, Marler said: “Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble.
"I kept waiting for it to pop and for me to suddenly go back to being 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 once could. I can’t keep talking about my family being my priority unless they actually are.
"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’m ready to make the change.
“l’m incredibly grateful I got to play 95 times for my country.
"I have to pinch myself. Did I really do that?
"I’m grateful to all those people who showed patience as I kept messing up.
"I’m grateful to the fans who made each match special.
"I’m grateful to the team-mates who pushed alongside or behind me, and the ones who could do all the things with a ball that I can’t.
"But most of all I’m grateful to [my wife] Daisy, [and children] Jasper, Maggie, Felix and Pixie for the unwavering support.
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“I’m sad to say goodbye to international rugby. But I’m really proud, too.
"Time to exit one dream bubble; time to enter a new one. Big Love x”
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Autumn Nations Series fixtures
Saturday, November 2
- 3.10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium
- 5.40pm: Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield
Friday, November 8
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, November 9
- 3.10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham
- 5.40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Friuli
- 8.10pm: France vs Japan, Stade de France
Sunday, November 10
- 1.40pm: Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium
- 4.10pm: Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield
Friday, November 15
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, November 16
- 3.10pm: Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield
- 5.40pm: England vs South Africa, Twickenham
- 8.10pm: France vs New Zealand, Stade de France
Sunday, November 17
- 1.40pm: Italy vs Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris
- 4.10pm: Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium
Friday, November 22
- 8.10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France
Saturday, November 23
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium
- 5.40pm: Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium
- 8.10pm: Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin
Sunday, November 24
- 1.40pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield
- 4.10pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham
Saturday, November 30
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium