Joe Marler Tells Wales Legend He’s Done as He Lands Top Rugby Job
Joe Marler reflects on his retirement and embraces a new role in rugby
Joe Marler, Wales, England, Rugby, Retirement, Team England Rugby
London: Joe Marler has recently opened up about his retirement from rugby. He felt he just couldn’t keep up with the younger players anymore, both physically and mentally.
The 34-year-old played his last match for Harlequins against Bristol Bears in November. Before that, he wrapped up his England career, having earned 95 caps and played in three World Cups.
Marler has always been a bit of a character in the sport. He had announced his retirement from international play back in 2018 but returned for the World Cup the following year. This time, though, he insists it’s for good and is already diving into his new job.
He shared his thoughts on the podcast “For the Love of Rugby,” recalling a moment in Girona with the England squad. He realized he was struggling to keep up with the younger guys and felt it was time to step back.
When he told head coach Steve Borthwick about his decision, Borthwick was supportive but expressed a wish for him to play in the next World Cup. Marler found that amusing but knew he was serious about retiring.
His former teammates even asked if he thought about reaching 100 caps, but Marler wasn’t interested in the accolades. He just wanted to quietly exit the scene.
After leaving the England setup, Marler thought he’d continue with club rugby for a bit longer. But soon, he realized it was time to hang up his boots altogether. He shared that telling a Wales legend about his decision was one of the first things he did.
Marler found it easier to leave club rugby than international play. He felt more connected to his England teammates than to the current squad at Harlequins, which made the decision a bit easier.
He admitted that as he got older, he found it harder to connect with the younger players. He didn’t want to be that guy who just showed up for the paycheck without putting in the effort.
After his last game, Marler is now enjoying life off the pitch and has taken on a new role as the performance director for Team England Rugby Ltd. This new gig involves supporting the England rugby team and handling a lot of the behind-the-scenes work.
Marler expressed relief after confirming his retirement. He had been thinking about it for months, especially after breaking his foot last summer. Spending time with his family has been a breath of fresh air for him.
In his new role, he’s focused on ensuring the players feel supported and have their needs addressed, especially when it comes to welfare and operations. He wants to create a better environment for the younger players who might feel intimidated speaking up.
Marler believes the players deserve better support than they had in the past. So, he’s excited about this new chapter and the chance to make a difference.