England prop Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The 34-year-old was a member of Steve Borthwick's squad for the Autumn Nations Series but left the camp on Monday for personal reasons and has now revealed his 95-cap Test career is over, although he will continue playing for Harlequins until the end of the season.
“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” he said on Instagram.
“I kept waiting for it to pop and me to suddenly go back to being a gobby, overweight 16-year-old again. But you know when it's time.”
He continued: “I can't do what I used to do as well as I once could. I can't keep talking about my family being my priority unless they actually are.
“I want to keep untarnished all these memories of my career, both good and bad. I don't want to leave my house with my kids crying. I'm ready to make the change.”
It is the second time Marler has retired having reversed his decision in 2018 to step away from the Test arena.
His 12-year England career ends with appearances at three World Cups, including in the final of the 2019 tournament.
The colourful prop is one of rugby's most recognisable figures and has been no stranger to controversy, including last week when his social media posts calling for the “ridiculous” Haka to be “binned” lit the fuse for Saturday's loss to the All Blacks.
Marler subsequently apologised for the remarks and stated that he was just trying to “spark interest in a mega rugby fixture”, as well as contest the restrictions in place for facing the Maori war dance.
The 2017 British and Irish Lion has spoken openly about his mental health struggles and it was his battle with depression that convinced him to retire in 2018.
