"End is nigh" - Joe Marler reveals possible retirement date

The loosehead-prop, who starts this weekend against Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, has disclosed that next season may be his last if things don't go his way.

Speaking exclusively to The Times, Marler revealed: “The end is nigh,”

He added: "I would love to make it to the World Cup (2023 in France) but that’s very much out of my hands.

"If there is a conversation with Eddie Jones saying I’m not in the plans for it, then I would accelerate life after rugby and concentrate on that, shut up shop at Quins and walk away from it."

He started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees

Marler named his dream fighting five-a-side team made up of his former colleagues, including a few England internationals.

Marler said: "I love sappy, negative drinking sessions, and you're always guaranteed that with old Colar Bear. He has a sensible head and is a great mind reader too. When I went AWOL in Japan at the end of the World Cup, he tracked me down..."

Marler said: "No drinking team would be complete without Hask. He holds court like no other I know, and even though you've heard his stories a millions times before he tells them so well."

Marler said: "Richards was Director of Rugby at Harlequins, but he wasn't just that. He was also a hard man and legendary drinker of the amateur age."

Marler said: "My Idol - I still pinch myself when I'm in his company. A juggernaut on the pitch and a legendary drinker and socialiser off it."

Marler said: "I played against him when he was at Newcastle and he basically Would knock **ing s**t outta ya for 80 minutes. It was like play against a prop with the fitness levels of a flanker.”