England prop Marler rules himself out of Australia tour

LONDON (Reuters) - Harlequins' prop Joe Marler has ruled himself out of England's test against Wales this month and the tour of Australia which follows. Marler said he needs to rest following a gruelling season which ended with bans following two high-profile transgressions. "Whenever you play for England you have to be 100 per cent and unfortunately I'm not in that place at the moment," the 25-year-old said in a statement on the RFU website. "It's not a decision I've come to lightly, but I feel I would be letting my team mates and my country down if I were to tour. "I think a short rest will really help me recharge my batteries so I can start next season with the energy and focus that’s needed to perform at the highest level." England coach Eddie Jones Marler would be a big loss. "We fully support Joe's difficult decision and admire his honesty," the Australian said. Marler recently revealed he was seeing a sports psychologist to address his "lack of professional control" following bans for calling Wales forward Samson Lee "gypsy boy" during a Six Nations game and kicking an opponent in the head in a Challenge Cup match. England play Wales at Twickenham on May 29. The test series against Australia starts in Brisbane on June 11. (Reporting by Neil Robinson, editing by Ed Osmond)