England Prop Joe Marler Retires Ahead of Six Nations; Problems in French Rugby?

In the morning after English fans were mourning the All-Black loss in the Autumn Internationals, a shocking announcement added to their grievances: fans with Six Nations tickets heard the news of Joe Marler’s retirement. 

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has chosen to step away from international rugby for the second time.

It’s official – fans who buy Six Nations tickets will not see Joe Marler in action. 

End of a Great Stint

The sometimes controversial but often indispensable 34-year-old Harlequins player, known for his powerful presence as a loosehead prop, announced he would step away from the England squad for the second time. 

Originally included in England’s Autumn Nations Series campaign, Marler left the camp last month for personal reasons – thought his outsized personality meant he dominated the conversation going into yesterday’s thrilling Test match in London.

This announcement closes a 12-year Test career that saw him earn 95 caps for his country. He became the ninth-most capped player in England’s history and third-most among England props, behind Dan Cole and Jason Leonard.  

His international journey began in 2012 against South Africa, and he quickly became a key player under head coach Stuart Lancaster. He later played under Eddie Jones and then Borthwick. 

Reflecting on his career, Marler shared: “Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble. But you know when it is time.” He admitted that his heart was no longer in it during England’s recent training camp in Girona, Spain, and he felt unable to give his best to the team. He also expressed a desire to prioritize his family and preserve the cherished memories of his career. 

Fans who are regulars in the secondary markets will undoubtedly remember him for his actions on the field. He was the gutsy forward who took the fight to the opposition. 

He was part of the England team that secured three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016. The 2016 win will be remembered by all the fans with Six Nations tickets, as it came during England’s dominant era. 

He also made the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, although he played in mid-week games rather than the Tests.  

In 2019, after briefly retiring due to mental health struggles, he returned to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, where England reached the final, ultimately losing to South Africa. 

Occasional disciplinary issues also marked Marler’s career. In 2016, he was suspended for two matches and fined after a slur against Welsh prop Samson Lee. In 2020, he faced another suspension for grabbing Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones in a ‘sensitive’ area, although the COVID-19 pandemic meant he missed no matches. 

In 2023, Marler played in England’s Rugby World Cup semi-final run and joined discussions on how to face New Zealand’s Haka in their recent Twickenham clash, which England narrowly lost 24-22.  

Days after the match, he decided to step back from the Test arena. His final England appearance was in Dunedin in July during the Summer Tour of New Zealand.

While his international career has ended, Marler plans to continue playing for Harlequins until the end of the season, after which he intends to retire from rugby altogether. His departure follows a wave of post-World Cup exits by senior England players, including Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Ben Youngs, and Danny Care, after the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. 

Marler’s contribution to England rugby leaves a lasting legacy, blending intense commitment with an indelible mark on the sport’s recent history. 

Part of that legacy will undoubtedly include helping to develop the next generation of England props, including clubmate Fin Baxter, who has made an assured start to his England career.

Many believe there should be more characters like Marler in the game, but you can be sure to look forward to further outspoken opinions from the East Sussex man. 

France Rugby Ban Alcohol From All Occasions

Among 20 new measures announced this week, the FFR also plans to introduce drug and alcohol testing. Alcohol is now banned at the national rugby center in Marcoussis, stadiums, and changing rooms.

“These are places where players are meant to develop their physical and tactical abilities to the best of their ability,” said FFR vice president Jean-Marc Lhermet.

“The consumption of alcohol is not authorized.”

The decision comes as the French squad began their autumn training sessions earlier this week at Marcoussis, south of Paris.

The focus on discipline follows a series of high-profile incidents that have rocked the French team this year. These incidents dented the fan following for French Rugby and its overall image, bewildering regular fans with Six Nations tickets.

In July, fullback Melvyn Jaminet received a 34-week suspension over a racist social media post during their tour in Argentina.

During the same tour, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou were arrested on allegations of sexual assault, which they denied, claiming the encounters were consensual.

While French Rugby was on damage limitation, this move comes as a new wave of hope as fans have once again heightened the demand for tickets in the secondary markets. 

National team coach Fabien Galthie has said his players have backed the measures.

“We did a questionnaire, and all the players said yes,” he said. “It was a logical and coherent development about what had happened.”

Women’s Six Nations – Ireland Fixtures Announced 

Ireland will welcome France to Belfast and England to Cork in the 2025 Six Nations.

Scott Bemand’s side will begin their campaign at Kingspan Stadium on 22 March against a French side ranked fourth in the world.

Ireland played Scotland at Kingspan Stadium in last year’s Six Nations, winning the game to qualify for the 2025 World Cup.

They returned to the home of Ulster Rugby in September, beating the Wallaroos in what was a warm-up for their WXV1 campaign.

After an away trip to face Italy, they will then host the Red Roses at Musgrave Park on 12 April before finishing with visits to Wales and Scotland.

Ireland beat Wales in Cork during last season’s Six Nations and used the venue for their home games in the 2023 championship.

Six Nations tickets for the Women’s tournament will be available in the secondary markets shortly.