ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Sep 27, 2018

Former England players share thoughts on the surprising timing of Joe Marler's retirement from Test duty

Former England players Lawrence Dallaglio and Ugo Monye have commented on yesterday’s surprising news that Joe Marler has decided to retire from international rugby, aged just 28.

ADVERTISEMENT

Capped 59 times by his country, Marler announced his retirement from international rugby due to wanting to spend more time with his family.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my country and of course this has been a very difficult decision to make, but I have decided to retire from playing international rugby with immediate effect to spend more time with my family,” he told Quins TV.

“It is an incredible commitment to play rugby for England and I strongly believe that if you are unable to give yourself fully to it then it is time to step away. Otherwise it would not be fair on the team, or my family. Being with England you have to spend an incredible amount of time away and I could not do that anymore.

“So now is the time to walk away and get some new blood in the team. And I am looking forward to being able to give my wife and children more of my time.

“I would like to thank everyone at England for the opportunities that I have been given. I will always be grateful for the memories playing for my country has given me.”

He will continue to play for Harlequins, but will be missed in the England setup, coach Eddie Jones said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Joe is a great player and team member so I am disappointed and we will miss him. But he has made his decision on personal grounds and we understand his reasoning.

“He’s a good guy – an honest, mature person who understands the demands of the game and the demands of family life. I have got to admire his honesty and the way he has gone about this.”

Rugby Tonight’s Lawrence Dallaglio and Ugo Monye were both surprised by the Marler decision, one year out from the World Cup.

Dallaglio thought it seemed a bit early, suggesting that perhaps the RFU needs to consider offering players time off, much like is done for preservation in New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The timing of it is a bit strange,” said former England captain Dallaglio.

“Everyone has to retire at some point – some people are told to retire, and some people just choose to – but I think the timing has caught everyone a little bit by surprise. The natural time for him to retire would be in 12-months time, after the World Cup.”

Both former Test players agreed that it’s understandable, however, with a young family and the pressures on professional players nowadays.

“The best thing I did in my life is being a dad, and for Joe, he wants to be the best dad that he can be and he wants to be the best husband that he can be,” said Monye.

“He’s got two young kids, and wants to give them absolutely everything.. It’s a massive decision he’s made, one that I fully support, and all the best of luck to him and his young family.”

Watch the full interview with Marler below, as he talks about retirement and his favourite moments.

credit: BT Sport/Harlequins

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of HUGE hits and brilliant tries...

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 18 HOURS AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Fin Smith returns to face off against AJ MacGinty in Premiership restart

View All