Joe Marler today announced his retirement from international rugby.
The Harlequins loosehead, who has been capped 59 times by England, told Quins TV he was making the decision to spend more time with his family.
Marler, 28, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my country and of course this has been a very difficult decision to make, but I have decided to retire from playing international rugby with immediate effect to spend more time with my family.
🗣 “When I got the call-up for the next squad, I thought the time was right to make the call and concentrate on my family and the Club moving forward.”
📽 @JoeMarler on his decision to retire from international rugby
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— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) September 26, 2018
“It is an incredible commitment to play rugby for England and I strongly believe that if you are unable to give yourself fully to it then it is time to step away. Otherwise it would not be fair on the team, or my family. Being with England you have to spend an incredible amount of time away and I could not do that anymore.
“So now is the time to walk away and get some new blood in the team. And I am looking forward to being able to give my wife and children more of my time.
“I would like to thank everyone at England for the opportunities that I have been given. I will always be grateful for the memories playing for my country has given me.”