‘I’m done’: Joe Marler retires from international rugby to focus on family

Joe Marler has called time on his England career and will play no part in the rest of their autumn inter­nationals campaign, citing the need to prioritise his family. Marler, who whipped up a storm last week with his comments criticising the haka, announced his decision on Sunday, conceding: “I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could.”

The Sale loosehead prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has been added to the England squad preparing for the match on Saturday against Australia. It is a first call-up for the highly rated Opoku-Fordjour, who can play on both sides of the scrum and was part of the England under‑20s side who won the World Cup over the summer.

As revealed exclusively by the Guardian, Marler left the England camp at the start of last week, citing personal reasons, and made himself unavailable for the defeat against the All Blacks on Saturday. It is understood Marler arrived in camp last ­Sunday but told Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, and a group of senior players of his decision and returned to his family home.

While he was keen to stress last week that he was taking a “day‑by‑day” approach, the ­writing was on the wall when Marler left camp and he brings the curtain down on his England career with 95 caps.

Related: Smith substitution leaves England wondering what might have been

Marler was at Twickenham on Saturday and was seen joking with the New Zealand head coach, Scott Robertson, after stoking the fire in the buildup with his claim that the haka should be “binned”. He later apologised, having clarified his view that opponents should be allowed to challenge the haka.

“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” Marler, who will continue to play for Harlequins, wrote on social media. “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.

“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 it 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.

“The first teammate I told was Dan Cole. We were sharing a room at the England hotel. I hugged him, he hugged me. The conversation went a bit like this: I love you mate. I love you too. What’s up? I’m done, mate. I know you are.”

Marler has retired previously from international rugby, in 2018, only to reverse his decision in time for the 2019 World Cup, but at 34 another change of heart is unlikely. He has four children with his wife, Daisy, and has spoken candidly about his struggles with spending long periods in camp away from his family. In 2016 he withdrew from the summer tour of Australia and though he was talked into making himself available for the World Cup last year by Borthwick, having previously not appeared for England since the 2022 Six Nations, it was clear he took some convincing.

While Marler accepted a place in Borthwick’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series and took part in the warm-weather training camp in Girona, a well-placed source has pointed to how Marler has had to battle back from a broken foot to regain fitness last month as well as how he has fallen down the England pecking order with Ellis Genge fit again after missing the summer tour and his ­Harlequins teammate Fin ­Baxter emerging on to the scene. As a result, Marler realised his heart was no longer in it.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I got to play 95 times for my country,” Marler said. “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 teammates who pushed alongside or behind me, and the ones who could do all the things with the ball that I can’t. But most of all I’m grateful to Daisy, Jasper, ­Maggie, Felix and Pixie for the unwavering support.

“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.”

Marler’s retirement is a setback for Borthwick. It is understood he was sympathetic to the decision last week but after the defeat by the All Blacks he sought to blame the inexperience of his current squad. Of the 2023 World Cup squad, Courtney Lawes, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs, Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola and now Marler have all either retired or made themselves unavailable for selection.

“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,” Borthwick said.

Related: England captain George absolves Ford of blame after dramatic loss to All Blacks