Joe Marler announced his retirement from international rugby last November. (Image: PA)
Former England international Joe Marler has opened up about his reasons for retirement, confessing he can no longer meet the physical and mental demands of the sport of rugby. The 34-year-old’s illustrious career follows an impressive run of 95 caps for England, three Rugby World Cups and three Six Nations wins since his last appearance for Harlequins against the Bristol Bears last November. Yes.
Mahler, known for his outspoken nature and sometimes controversial comments, previously retired from international rugby in 2018 before returning to the World Cup in 2019. But this time, he insists it’s permanent, as he’s already made a smooth transition to post-competition life. A new role in rugby.
Reflecting on his decision to leave the Test scene, Marler told the For the Love of Rugby podcast about the defining moment: The lovely sun blew my ass off and it was a really nice moment.
“But I was looking at all the young boys around me and thinking, ‘Well, that’s it then.’ The game has definitely passed me by, and I can’t keep up with these bastards anymore. I can’t physically continue to be with them. “Mentally, I just wasn’t motivated to try anymore.”
Informing manager Steve Borthwick of his decision, he said: “Steve said, ‘Look, you’ve obviously put a lot of thought into it. I respect your decision (but) I wanted you to get to the next World Cup.’ And I thought that was a good thing. But He said, ‘No, I’m very serious.’
When podcast co-hosts Ben Youngs and Dan Cole asked the former England player about the possibility of him reaching 100 international caps, Marler expressed indifference to such praise with just five games remaining, preferring to “slip away” quietly. I did it. “I wasn’t interested in milestones,” he declared.
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Marler scoffed at Steve Borthwick’s suggestion. (Image: Getty)
“I wanted to break Tim Payne’s record for caps at 26, so I almost gave up as soon as I reached 27 and thought there was no point until the next 70. Milestones don’t mean much. If you get within a few caps, you’ll get ‘100.’ “I’m half-thinking, ‘That would be a good round number to end with.’”
He also explained his aversion to fanfare: “But looking at the hoopla that many of my former teammates have received, I actually think I wouldn’t want that at all. I just want to sneak away. Quit the sport at night.”
When Mahler announced his withdrawal from the England national team, he announced his intention to continue playing club rugby until the end of the season. However, it wasn’t long before he realized that his relationship with Harley Quinn was also coming to an end, and he suddenly accelerated his retirement.
Despite being with the Premiership club for a long time, spanning 15 years, Mahler confessed that leaving was easier than stepping away from international rugby. He shared the same sentiments with the Welsh legend, who was one of the first to learn of his decision. “Quins was easier than England because there were still people in England who were close to me,” Marler explained.
“I was willing to go for them and I knew they would go to the well for me. In England it is an elite environment whereas at the club the direction it was going was not necessarily the direction I wanted to go. I agreed and had that relationship with a lot of teams. It’s mainly my fault. You get older and you’re always looking up and thinking, ‘Who is this guy who just takes the money and doesn’t actually make any promises?’
Marler has revealed the pivotal moment when he realized his rugby career at Harlequins was over. “I thought, ‘I can’t do this’, so I drove (to the training ground) and tried with some positivity and messed up a few lineouts.” Reflecting on the finality of the decision, he said, “I said, ‘It’s done.’ I stood there and looked around for about five or 10 minutes and (Alex) Dombrandt turned around and asked, ‘Are you okay, buddy?'” And I said, ‘No, I’m done.’ Then I took my jacket and went out. (Former Wales prop) Adam Jones came out and asked me if I was ok and I said ‘I’m done mate’. , I can’t do it.’ He said, ‘What, okay?’ And I said, ‘Okay, I’m done,’ and that was it.”
Joe Marler found it easier to leave Harlequins than to stay in England. (Image: Getty)
Marler, who ended his career after the game against Bristol, is now enjoying his new chapter away from the game. The former prop took up the role of performance director at Team England Rugby Ltd (TER), an organization that saw the national team decide to break away from the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) last year and handle its own affairs. With the RFU and Premiership clubs.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Mahler expressed his relief: “It’s been on my mind for four or five months since I broke my foot in the summer. I spent four months at home with the kids. Just to have some normalcy with them and for (my wife) Daisy, who I’ve never been to. Spending a lot of time is like, ‘Fuck it, I can do this.’ I want to give them more time now. I’m at an age where I need that masculine figure in my life.”
The former self-indulgent prop also explained his new role: “It sounds pompous and formal, but we are fundamentally supported by the England Rugby team and carry out a lot of the administrative work and dialogue between the DoR (Director of Rugby). The club and the RFU are supported in decisions about operations, welfare in the event of injury and are being consulted on the issue, and that it is being done in the right way.
“It’s about building relationships and taking the pressure off players to have those conversations at the end of the campaign and when people need a break. There are a lot of young boys in the squad who are too scared. You can talk to the DoR without being told, ‘Go ahead and pay your wages.’
