Joe Marler, the 34-year-old prop for Harlequins, made his last professional rugby appearance with a touch of humor. He announced his retirement from England’s team for personal reasons. With 95 caps for the Red Roses, Marler played his final game as Harlequins lost to Bristol Bears 24-48 at home.
During the match, as Harlequins were leading, Marler had a funny question for the referee, Luke Pearce. He asked, “Question, if someone scores [a try] and they take their shirt off, is it a yellow card?” Pearce jokingly replied, “Not tonight for you, no.”
After 49 minutes on the field, Marler was substituted and bid farewell to his rugby career. The crowd at Twickenham Stoop gave him a standing ovation as he left the pitch. When asked about his retirement, Marler mentioned that he couldn’t continue physically, mentally, or emotionally. He humorously shared that he had actually retired the week before but returned for one final game.
Marler’s last game for Harlequins was his 286th appearance for the club, where he won two Premiership titles. On the international stage, he achieved success with England, winning the Six Nations three times and finishing as runners-up in the 2019 World Cup.
As Marler embarks on the next chapter of his life post-rugby, fans are curious about his future plans. Whether he decides to return to the talkSPORT studio or explore other opportunities, one thing is certain – his witty humor and memorable moments on the field will be cherished by rugby enthusiasts worldwide.
