LONDON (AP) — England prop Joe Marler retired from international rugby on Sunday after 95 tests since 2012.
The 34-year-old Marler was in the squad for the autumn series but left England’s camp on Monday for personal reasons.
He won the Six Nations in 2016, 2017 and 2020, went to three Rugby World Cups, including reaching the final in 2019, and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2017 to New Zealand.
“I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Marler has been open about his mental health struggles, and his battle with depression caused him to retire the first time in 2018. But he was persuaded back for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, one of his career highlights.
“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” he wrote. “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’s time.”
The prop has been one of rugby’s most recognizable figures and has been no stranger to controversy. He received a 10-week suspension in 2020 for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals, and this past week he said the “ridiculous” haka should be “binned,” lighting the fuse for Saturday’s loss to the All Blacks. Marler apologized and was at Twickenham.
“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,” England coach Steve Borthwick said.
“We’ll miss his humor, 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.”
Marler will see out the season for his Harlequins club, for which he’s helped win two Premierships.
“I’m incredibly grateful I got to play 95 times for my country,” Marler wrote. “I have to pinch myself. Did I really do that?”
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