Joe Marler will play his ‘last ever match’ as he steps away from the ‘beautifully brutal game’
Harlequins prop Joe Marler, who will retire from professional rugby after Friday night's match against Bristol Bears, the Gallagher Premiership club has announced.
Following his retirement from international rugby, Harlequins prop Joe Marler has today confirmed he is calling time on his professional rugby career.
Friday night’s Premiership fixture against Bristol Bears at the Twickenham Stoop will be Marler’s final game in the Famous Quarters as he brings the curtain down on his career altogether after stepping away from Test rugby earlier this month.
Marler has spent his entire club career at Quins and the 34-year-old will have the opportunity to say farewell to The Stoop faithful after 15 years of service.
Harlequins and England legend
The prop joined Harlequins in 2009, where he has gone on to become a club legend and amass 285 appearances and 55 points.
With Harlequins, he has lifted the Premiership trophy twice, doing so in 2012 and 2021, where he was named Player of the Match, as well as a memorable European Challenge Cup title in 2011.
He also previously captained Harlequins during the 2014/15 campaign and finished runner-up in the European Challenge Cup back in 2016.
On the international stage, Marler earned 95 caps for England and won multiple Six Nations titles (2016, 2017 and 2020) and was an integral member of the squad that finished World Cup runners-up in Japan (2019) and third place in France (2023) – he also toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Joe Marler makes decision on international rugby as ‘one-of-a-kind’ personality bows out
‘It’s over’
“The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game,” Marler said.
“On Friday night I’ll play my last ever match for Quins. After all these happy years, it’s over.
“The most important thing I want to say to our fantastic supporters is thank you. Thank you for your patience and support, when you could easily have turned your back on me. For the kindness you’ve shown, even when I haven’t deserved it, and for cheering my name…even after I’d been banned again.
“I feel lucky to have pulled on the jersey worn by so many idols of mine, and so many better players. That’s an incredible thing to me. I got to stand alongside with so many great players and people that have made this club so special.
“I’ll always be grateful to the Club’s owners, Charles and Duncan, for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream. See you down the road. We’ll meet again. Although, ideally not in Biarritz in torrential rain.”
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson said: “Joe should be incredibly proud of his fantastic career.
“He’s a remarkable character on and off the pitch and hugely popular with our supporters. In retirement he should rightly be recognised for his outstanding achievements for both club and country.
“In the modern game, it’s rare that players stay at one club for the duration of their professional career and that can’t be overlooked. It speaks volumes of Joe’s connection to the Club, it’s staff and the players
he’s shared the pitch with throughout the years.
“He’s one of rugby’s big characters and will be missed. Everyone at the Club wishes Joe, his wife Daisy and their young family the very best in this next chapter.”
READ MORE: ‘The scariest thing that’s ever hit you’ – Joe Marler
