Joseph Marler
Joseph William George Marleris an English former rugby union player who played as a prop for Premiership Rugby club Harlequins. He played for the England national team until his retirement in November 2024.
Career
Marler joined the Harlequins Academy in 2008 and made his first team debut in the 2009-2010 season, after spending some time on loan to Esher and Worthing. Marler has described his time in the lower tiers as a necessary learning curve that has allowed him to experience all the tricks of the trade at prop. He particularly points to the technical advice he received from one Bobby Walsh, a former coach, on scrummaging. The knowledge gained at this level has allowed him to occasionally cover the tighthead side of the scrum.
In May 2011 Marler started for the Harlequins side that defeated Stade Français in the final of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The following season saw Marler play a crucial part in helping Harlequins claim their first ever League title by starting in the 2011–12 Premiership final victory over Leicester Tigers.
Marler captained Harlequins for the 2014-2015 season, replacing Chris Robshaw due to his commitments as England captain in the 2015 World Cup year.Marler then passed on the captaincy of Harlequins to teammate Danny Care in the following season. In January 2016 it was announced that Marler had signed a new contract to stay at the club and later that year he started for the Harlequins side that were defeated by Montpellier in the final of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
On 26 June 2021 Marler won his second league title starting for the Harlequins side that defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in the highest scoring Premiership final ever.
He announced his retirement from the club on 27 November 2024. His final game for the club was at The Stoop against Bristol Bears. During the game, he asked the referee Luke Pearce whether he would receive a yellow card for removing his shirt to which Pearce replied 'not tonight for you'. He was replaced for the final time by England international Fin Baxter in the second half.
