England prop Joe Marler has confirmed he will be available for Steve Borthwick this summer, however, at the same time confirmed his retirement date from all rugby.
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The loosehead-prop, who played a key role for Steve Borthwick’s men during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has 88 caps for his country since making his debut in 2012.
By the time he made 42nd international appearance against France in March 2016 he had missed only four matches since his debut on the way to becoming a Grand Slam winner.
He withdrew from the subsequent summer tour of Australia and took a break from the game before leading out England for his 50th cap in their stunning victory over Scotland in March 2017.
Three months later, Joe was part of the British & Irish Lions squad for their tour of New Zealand and was a regular for the Lions in their midweek games. He announced his international retirement in September 2018 to spend more time with his family, but reversed his decision to go to the recent the World Cup
Speaking to The Times, he revealed today that the end is nigh: “I’m available for England but I’ll quit rugby in 2025,”
50 best British & Irish Lions of all-time (via The Guardian)
50. Robert Jones (Wales) – Scrum-half – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 73
49. Tom Smith (Scotland) – Prop – 1997, 2001 – P6 W3 D0 L3 – 75
48. Matt Dawson (England) – Scrum-half – 1997, 2001, 2005 – P7 W2 D0 L5 – 76
47. David Sole (Scotland) – Prop – 1989 – P3 W2 L1 – 90
46. Rhys Williams (Wales) – Lock – 1955, 1959 – P10 W5 L5 – 94
45. Neil Jenkins (Wales) – Fly-half – 1997, 2001 – P4 W2 D0 L2 – 99
44. Jason Robinson (England) – Fullback/Wing – 2001, 2005 – P5 W1 D0 L4 – 105
43. Roger Uttley (England) – Back row – 1974 – P4 W3 D1 L0 – 107
42. Bobby Windsor (Wales) – Hooker – 1974, 1977 – P5 W3 D1 L1 – 109
41. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half – 2001, 2005 – P6 W1 D1 L4 – 110
40. Rob Andrew (England) – Fly-half – 1989, 1993 – P5 W3 D0 L2 – 110
39. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock – 2005, 2009 – P6 W1 D0 L5 – 114
38. Peter Wheeler (England) – Hooker – 1977, 1980 – P7 W2 L5 – 119
37. David Duckham (England) – Centre – 1971 – P3 W1 D1 L1 – 128
36. Jack Kyle (Ireland) – Fly-half – 1950 – P6 W2 D1 L3 – 147
35. Finlay Calder (Scotland) – Back row – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 149