‘Ban was easy way out for me’
card because, if I could pick up a ban, it was an easy way out. “After that game, I said I can’t keep doing this roller-coaster. It’s not fair on my family and club. I rang Eddie on the Sunday and was pretty honest with him. He said, ‘I appreciate your honesty, good on ya, all the best’. It was short.”
Last year, Marler, 28, was suspended for three weeks for use of the elbow against Wasps, ruling him out of the first two autumn internationals against Argentina and Australia.
And he was forced to miss the opening two rounds of this year’s Six Nations due to a six-week ban for a dangerous clear-out at a ruck against Sale in January. He was called up for England’s camp ahead of this year’s autumn series, which starts against South Africa on November 3, before his withdrawal.
“I really enjoyed my time with England but my family is my priority,” said Marler.
“When I had kids it completely flipped my perspective. I need to be around more – half the year I’m away. You talk about the earnings, but you can’t buy back the years or parents’ evenings or the stuff you’re potentially missing out on.”
Marler later attempted to clarify his comments, by tweeting: “I’ve never deliberately done anything on a rugby pitch – or off it – to get a ban. I was reflecting on my occasional irrational behaviour when England camps were looming and trying to understand my actions a bit better.”