‘I’m done’: Joe Marler retires from international rugby to focus on family

  • Prop calls time on England career after 95 caps
  • ‘I don’t want to leave my house with my kids crying’

Joe Marler has retired from international rugby and will play no part in the rest of England’s autumn nations campaign, citing the need to prioritise his family saying: “I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could”.

As exclusively revealed by the Guardian, Marler left the England camp at the start of last week, citing personal reasons, and made himself unavailable for Saturday’s agonising defeat by the All Blacks. It is understood the prop arrived in camp last Sunday but informed Steve Borthwick and a group of senior players of his decision and returned to his family home. While he was keen to stress that he was taking a “day-by-day” approach last week, the writing was on the wall and he brings the curtain down on his England career with 95 caps.

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New Zealand beat India again to romp to historic 3-0 Test series win

  • Ajaz Patel claims 6-57 as hosts fail to chase 146 in Mumbai
  • India slump to first home series defeat since 2012

New Zealand completed an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in India as the Black Caps dismissed the hosts for 121 on a tricky wicket to secure a 25-run victory on day three of the third and final test in Mumbai on Sunday.

The last time India were blanked at home was in 2000, in a two-match series against South Africa, and Rohit Sharma’s side will be feeling the pressure ahead of a challenging five-match series against Australia starting later this month.

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