Joe Marler set to retire from international rugby.

[Tigersman]

For personal reasons.

[Mikey Brown]

Well, I'm very sad to hear that. I honestly don't know what is behind this. Anyone?

[Puja]

What. The. Hell.

I can only see two options - either a mental health issue which needs managing and doesn't cope well with international sport, or an irreparable breach with Jones.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Family issue perhaps?
Whatever the reason this is a significant loss. Marler has been consistently good for England.

[twitchy]

Big loss for england.

[Digby]

Could easily be an illness in the family rather than mental health, and it could be the mental health of someone else in the family. Club rugby isn't remotely the same for time away from home. It may also be a physical problem and trying to train and play at the highest level is causing a problem

Cheers though Joe, a solid if not spectacular test career if also frustrating at times

Does explain Moon a little more who's much more a replacement for Marler than a Mako

[Puja]

Could easily be an illness in the family rather than mental health, and it could be the mental health of someone else in the family. Club rugby isn't remotely the same for time away from home. It may also be a physical problem and trying to train and play at the highest level is causing a problem

Cheers though Joe, a solid if not spectacular test career if also frustrating at times

Does explain Moon a little more who's much more a replacement for Marler than a Mako

Those are other reasonable explanations.

Sad to see him go - very much an undervalued player by fans and a loss to the team.

Puja

[Galfon]

28 ?...bit odd in World Cup season.
Maybe the 'GB' verbal spat a few years past is still getting to him through various channels.He was a young skipper at Quins 4 years back, 1 season only.- it's a tough gig for some.

[Scrumhead]

Could easily be an illness in the family rather than mental health, and it could be the mental health of someone else in the family. Club rugby isn't remotely the same for time away from home. It may also be a physical problem and trying to train and play at the highest level is causing a problem

Cheers though Joe, a solid if not spectacular test career if also frustrating at times

Does explain Moon a little more who's much more a replacement for Marler than a Mako

Those are other reasonable explanations.

Sad to see him go - very much an undervalued player by fans and a loss to the team.

Puja

Agreed. I feel sad about this but like him or loathe him, Joe is an honest guy and if he feels the issue (whether it’s his or someone else’s) makes it impossible for him to give his best to the England squad, then fair play to him for doing the right thing.

I really hope this gives VRR a chance as he’d add similar strengths to Joe with some added ability at the breakdown.

[Oakboy]

I always saw him as the best LH to start against the top sides when the number one consideration was a rock solid scrum. He'll be missed.

[Mikey Brown]

Is it likely he’d continue playing (a massive amount of) club rugby with an injury that makes him unable to play for England?

Equally, retirement sounds a bit final if it is an illness in the family.

I’m a big fan but I think people overlook the physical impact he had in defence, and he had some decent hands on occasion. He wasn’t just a scrummager.

Obviously I hope it’s nothing too personally painful. I’m interested if he reappears on Goode/Hamilton’s podcast to talk about it.

[Tigersman]

Personal reasons, so I don't like to speculate.

But Loosehead suddenly become an issue for England.
Only Mako and Mullan in the league that has more than 10 caps I think?

[fivepointer]

RIL - Apparently Marler’s decision is based on the amount of time that England duty consumes and being away from home.

Didnt he opt out of touring Oz a couple of years back? I imagine it must be very hard if you have a young family, as being with England is a major commitment virtually all year around. With a WC looming you can understand if he wants to put family first.

[Tigersman]

[Stom]

Shame for England but good on Joe for knowing his priorities and sticking to them. After all, you have to take care of what's most important to you and if that's family, you need to make that decision for your own personal happiness.

[16th man]

Some good points made already about the danger of speculating with so many possible factors that we may never know, but I think it will be interesting to see what happens if the AIs are a struggle, we repeat last year's 6Ns performance, and Jones gets canned prior to Japan.

[Freddo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45659034

[switchskier]

I might go against the grain here and say that I don't think it's a major issue for England. Vunipola is obviously first choice and there is a selection of young looseheads waiting for an opportunity. Marler was a really solid international player but he's a 7/10 player for me in every category. Someone like Hepburn may bring more as a like for like back up.

Anyways, fair play for making a decision to spend time with his family and being open and up front about it. I hey that quins are delighted.

[richy678]

Made his decision. Mature man. Absolutley no problem. Agree with comments above that currently he is seen as the scrummager to Mako's all court game, but there is a place for both in a squad.
Non issue - somebody dosent fancy it anymore - fair play.
If a few more come out of the wood work before Christmas - the Aussie prophecy of Jones's toxic sell by date may have to be considered.

[fivepointer]

Losing a player with 50+ caps and a proven high level performer a year out from the WC is a headache for Eddie. Marler was an absolute cert for selection and he leaves a sizeable hole.
Can only wish him well. He's got a few good years left in him.

[Digby]

Does sound like he’s simply not up for the extra time away from family and all the extra pressure that goes with England, and not being certain he wants that is stepping back. As has been noted one can only admire the honesty

[Ross. S]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-15226970

Ignoring the usual WOL bullshit headline this is quite interesting

[Puja]

A less dramatic coverage of the same comments from Marler: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ugby-union

I have sympathy for anxiety and mental health issues and understand it must've been hard to formally end his international career, but that's less than impressive.

Puja

[Raggs]

Leaving your young family for months at a time? Huge sympathy for the guy and completely understandable. Very impressed with him making the decision myself.

[Digby]

I'm in the sad position of agreeing with Puja, I've plenty of sympathy for the stress of playing for England and being away from home and family, but putting other players at risk to avoid that is far from impressive