Harlequins have announced today that England and British and Irish Lions prop, Joe Marler, has committed his long-term future to the Club.
Marler, who was contracted until 2018, has extended his deal by a further three years, keeping him with Harlequins, his only club, until at least 2021.
Confirming the news Marler said: “Re-signing for my childhood club has made me very happy. John Kingston has recruited strongly over the summer and he is starting to really mark his identity with this exciting group of players.
Joe Marler commits to Harlequins until 2021 https://t.co/HjBKkXjIHE
— Harlequins (@Harlequins) August 18, 2017
“I strongly believe we have a squad capable of going places and I’m really excited for the new season.”
27-year-old Marler, a Harlequins Academy graduate, has become a world class loosehead prop since establishing himself as a senior squad member in 2010.
Widely respected among his peers and opponents, he is a powerful scrummager and a cornerstone of the Harlequins forward pack.
The former club captain made his senior Club debut in 2009 and has since gone on to make 152 appearances, scoring seven tries.
The charismatic prop was part of Harlequins’ Amlin Challenge Cup and Aviva Premiership winning campaigns, scoring a pivotal try in the 2012 Premiership semi-final against Northampton Saints.
Having gained international honours at every age grade level, he has made 51 Test appearances for England since his 2012 debut in South Africa.
In 2016, he was part of England’s Grand Slam winning campaign and played a significant role in securing back to back Six Nations titles in the 2017 tournament.
Marler was named in the 2017 British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand. Making his debut against the Provincial Barbarians, he represented the prestigious side on five occasions during the midweek matches.
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“Joe is now established as one of the best loosehead props in world rugby,” Harlequins Director of Rugby John Kingston said.
“At 27, excitingly, he is probably only now coming into the peak of his potential.
“He has displayed a real commitment to the Harlequins cause over many years and as an Academy protégé, he is another member of the squad who has only ever known one club.
“This news offers a further massive boost to the squad as we prepare for the start of our 17/18 campaign.”