Marler retires from England 'dream bubble'

Joe Marler was at Twickenham on Saturday for England's 24-22 defeat by New Zealand

England prop Joe Marler has retired from international rugby having won 95 caps.

Marler made his England debut during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa and was part of three Six Nations-winning sides in 2016, 2017 and 2020.

He also represented England at three World Cups, including in 2019 when they were beaten by South Africa in the final.

"It's time for me to move on," said Marler, 34.

"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 part of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2017, though he did not play in a Test. He also made one appearance for the Barbarians in 2019.

He briefly retired from international rugby in 2018 but returned before the 2019 World Cup.

Marler was named in Steve Borthwick's squad for the ongoing autumn internationals but withdrew for personal reasons.

He apologised earlier this week after he described the New Zealand haka as "ridiculous" and said it needed "binning" in the build-up to Saturday's Test against the All Blacks.

He later said he "should have done better at explaining things" and was "grateful" for the education he has received since.

Joe Marler (right) made his first appearances for England during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa

Marler's final England appearance was against the All Blacks in July, when he broke his foot and had to be substituted after 17 minutes.

"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," Marler said in a social media post.

"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 am ready to make the change."

England head coach Borthwick said: "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."

'One of England's best ever props'

Chris Jones, BBC rugby union correspondent

As Marler himself has joked today, he has had a few international retirements before - but this time, at the age of 34 and with 95 caps, it is for real.

It's quite fitting it's happened in a week he hit the headlines for his comments about the Haka. Ever the character, Marler was rarely under the radar during his international career.

But despite the odd controversy, he was always a highly-respected team-mate and opponent, and an outstanding player - one of England's best ever props, perhaps unlucky not to be a Test British and Irish Lion in 2017.

And while he didn't play in Saturday's agonising defeat by New Zealand, you can't help thinking that if he had been on the field at the end, England may have got over the line.